Severe Heatwave in Odisha: 20 Confirmed Sunstroke Deaths, Authorities Urge Precautions.

A severe heatwave has claimed the lives of 20 people in Odisha, according to an official statement. Since Friday, districts have reported a total of 99 suspected sunstroke deaths. Post-mortem examinations confirmed 20 of these deaths were due to sunstroke, while two were attributed to other causes. Investigations are ongoing for the remaining cases.The fatalities were primarily reported in Bolangir, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Sonepur, Sundergarh, and Balasore districts. Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu reviewed the situation with district collectors, directing them to enforce heatwave advisories and take preventive measures.District administrations have been instructed to conduct post-mortem examinations for all suspected sunstroke deaths to facilitate ex-gratia sanctions. Additionally, a joint inquiry by local revenue and medical officers is required to determine the exact cause of each death.