Bhubaneswar: The toll due to suspected heatwave conditions has gone up to 35 in Odisha’s Rourkela in just four days. While six of the deaths have been confirmed as heatstroke deaths, the other casualties have been termed as “unnatural deaths”.
According to Ashutosh Kulkarni, Additional District Collector, the maximum number of deaths occurred on that day due to extreme heatwave conditions on May 30. It is suspected that they died of heatstroke. However, a clear picture would emerge only after the post-mortem of all the bodies is done.
Interestingly, family members of four victims did not agree to post-mortem.
Out of the remaining 31 bodies, 24 have been autopsied. Out of the 24 people, six deaths were confirmed as heat stroke deaths. Others are reported to have succumbed to heart attacks and other ailments. The reports of the remaining 10 to 15 cases are being verified.
However, the autopsy reports of the deceased do not offer a clear reason for most of the deaths. Hence, the viscera of the deceased will be examined. Rourkela tehsildar and medical team are investigating the incident.
As many as 15 cases are under joint investigation. The cause of death will be known after the reports are available.
