25 heat stroke deaths in Maharashtra, most in 6 years

Heat stroke has claimed 25 lives in Maharashtra this year, the highest in six years. Data from the health department showed over 374 cases of heat stroke have been reported in March and April, although experts say the actual number could be much higher.

Districts in north and central Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha have been reeling under temperatures ranging over 40-46 degrees. The highest number of deaths due to heat stroke has been recorded in Vidarbha (15), followed by six in Marathwada and four in Jalgaon from north Maharashtra. Within Vidarbha, Nagpur has reported 11, Akola 3 and Amravati one death. In Marathwada, Jalna has reported two deaths, while Aurangabad, Hingoli, Osmanabad and Parbhani have seen one death. Nagpur division has reported the highest—295 heat stroke cases.

Heat stroke is a serious heat-related emergency that occurs when the body is unable to control its internal temperature due to exposure to heat. The state didn’t report any cases of heat stroke in the previous two years. In 2019, nine deaths were reported.