The Union health ministry reported that 143 people across India had succumbed to heatstroke this summer, based on confirmed data from states as of June 20. However, numbers collected by several media organisations from state governments indicate 209 confirmed heat-related deaths, in addition to 239 suspected deaths, totalling 448 confirmed and suspected fatalities this season.
The health ministry’s data shows Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of such deaths at 35, followed by Delhi with 21 deaths. Rajasthan and Odisha each reported 17 fatalities due to heatstroke. Ministry sources suggest that the death toll may increase as investigations into some suspected heatstroke-related deaths are ongoing.
According to reports in several media organisations however, Delhi has recorded 76 heat-related deaths so far, marking the highest confirmed toll in the country. These figures were compiled from various government hospitals in the capital. Uttar Pradesh’s Relief Commissioner Office reported 51 confirmed heat-related deaths, with an additional 65 suspected heat-related fatalities, including 51 in Ghaziabad district and 14 in Noida district.
Odisha reported 41 heat-related deaths, the third highest in the country, with 118 more suspected fatalities. Bihar confirmed 19 such deaths, while Rajasthan’s toll stood at 16. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh reported 14 and 15 deaths, respectively, that are suspected to be caused by heat. Jharkhand reported 12 such cases, and Haryana and Tamil Nadu each reported five.
A health ministry official elaborated on the process of collecting data on heat-related deaths: “The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has laid out guidelines for declaring deaths due to heat-related illnesses. Once the hospital or local authority is satisfied with the same, they upload the data on the government portal.”
Dr. Suresh Kumar, medical director of Delhi’s Lok Nayak hospital, shared insights from his experience: “This year, we have seen 51 heat stroke cases and eight deaths since March. It is unprecedented. Last year, we saw only 3-4 heatstroke cases and one death suspected to have been caused by the condition.”
The health ministry’s data reveals that states and Union Territories have reported over 41,000 suspected heat-stroke cases this year. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of suspected cases at 10,672, followed by Rajasthan with 6,709, Andhra Pradesh with 4,072, and Jharkhand with 3,802.
Dr. Suresh Kumar highlighted the vulnerabilities of certain groups: “Labourers who work in the open, car mechanics, sales personnel, and elderly people are most susceptible to getting heat stroke and succumbing to it.”
In response to the heatwave, the health ministry directed officials to ensure hospitals are prepared to provide optimal healthcare to those affected by the severe temperatures.
