70 heatstroke cases, 3 suspected deaths reported in state in March-April
According to the data provided by the state public health department, as many as 70 cases of heat stroke and three suspected deaths have been reported from 1 March to April 26.
All three deaths have been reported in Nagpur. Besides, eleven cases have been reported from Yavatmal, nine from Buldhana, and eight from Nagpur, respectively.
Furthermore, five cases of heat stroke have been reported from Jalna, Gadchiroli, and Parbhani. Four cases were recorded in Dhule, while three in Palghar. There were two cases each in Kolhapur, Latur, Nanded, Nashik, Raigad, and Wardha. Additionally, there was one case each in Pune, Thane, Washim, Sangli, Osmanabad, Amravati, Aurangabad, and Chandrapur, they said.
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. A patient is diagnosed to have suffered a heat stroke if he/she has an elevated body temperature equal to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and have an altered mental status including disorientation, delirium and seizure.
Given the rising temperatures, the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies have appealed to citizens to follow caution.
Shekhar Singh, municipal commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), said, 'Given the severe heatwave spreading across the country, citizens of Pimpri Chinchwad are urged to stay indoors unless necessary. If you must step out, do so after 4 pm when the sun's intensity reduces. Special care must be taken for elderly people, young children, and those with existing health conditions.'
Dr Laxman Gophane, medical health officer, PCMC, said, 'There is a high possibility that the heatwave will intensify in the next 48 hours. Citizens should also be cautious regarding school activities, workshops, and public events. Medical facilities related to heatstroke are available at all PCMC hospitals. In case of any symptoms, residents are advised to immediately visit the nearest municipal hospital.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Maha sees sharp drop in heatstroke cases this year
Maharashtra has recorded a significant drop in heatstroke cases this year, with only 124 cases reported thus far as compared to 347 cases during the corresponding period last year. Furthermore, not a single heatstroke-related fatality has been reported this year although three suspected deaths linked to heat-related illnesses were reported, officials said. This, despite 2025 being one of the hottest years with several parts of the state reporting temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius which placed immense stress on healthcare systems and communities. In 2024, three suspected heatstroke deaths and one confirmed heatstroke death were reported in Bhandara district. Whereas in 2023, a record 3,191 heatstroke cases including 16 suspected heatstroke deaths and 14 confirmed heatstroke deaths were reported across the state. State health officials said that the decline in numbers this year is due to increased public awareness, timely health advisories, and better preparedness to combat extreme heat conditions. Dr Kailas Baviskar, deputy director of health services, said, 'Regular updates through media, early warning systems, and distribution of guidelines to district administrations helped reduce the impact of the heatwave this year.' Dr Baviskar further said that in addition to public awareness campaigns, the government had set up cold rooms in hospitals; ensured availability of drinking water at key locations; and instructed field-level health workers to monitor vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and outdoor workers. 'Citizens have also become more cautious, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours and staying hydrated,' he said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra has recorded the maximum number of heatstroke cases this year including 20 in Yavatmal district, followed by 16 in Buldhana, 10 in Kolhapur, and nine in Palghar. Pune district reported only one case of heatstroke. Whereas all three suspected heatstroke deaths were reported in Nagpur district, officials said. Heatstroke is a serious heat-related emergency that occurs when the body is unable to control its internal temperature due to exposure to heat. A patient is diagnosed to have suffered a heatstroke if he/she has an elevated body temperature equal to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and has an altered mental status including disorientation, delirium and seizure. While the number of heatstroke cases has fallen this year, health experts have warned about climate change continuing to pose long-term challenges, stressing on the need for continued vigilance and proactive planning in the coming years.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Residents of Wakad, Ravet complain of contaminated drinking water since May last week
According to residents of Wakad, Ravet and nearby areas under the jurisdiction of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), they have been receiving contaminated drinking water - which is muddy, greenish in colour, and has a foul taste - since the last week of May, causing health concerns. The residents of these areas said that several complaints have been lodged on the PCMC's 'Sarathi' portal and that many residents are complaining of stomach upset and diarrhoea. Sachin Londe, a citizen-activist from Wakad, said that two residents from their housing society have been hospitalised due to consumption of contaminated water. 'We have to spend thousands of rupees for testing the water. The PCMC is disconnecting the water supply of societies with defunct sewage treatment plants (STPs). While the civic body is alert about sending property tax reminders, why can't it be equally alert about supplying safe drinking water. When is it going to fulfil its duty?' Londe questioned. Sandip Yeole, a resident of Horizon Society in Wakad, said that the society which houses 266 flats has been receiving dirty water since the last week of May. 'Since May 26/27, the water has either been greenish or muddy. The taste is also strange. Many residents have fallen sick with stomach ache and other complaints,' Yeole said. To prevent further health risks, the society has stopped using tap water for drinking purposes. 'We are using tanker water for domestic purposes and are buying packaged water for drinking. The issue seems to be from the PCMC's main water supply line,' Yeole said. According to residents, some societies are even receiving drinking water with worms in it. The TDS of the drinking water has risen significantly and measures between 200 to 250 ppm. Initially, everyone thought that the contaminated water supply was restricted to their house or society. However, when several people in the area started falling sick, residents discovered that the entire area had the problem. Sachin Siddhe, a resident of Nano Homes in Ravet, said that the problem is widespread in Pimpri-Chinchwad. 'At first, people thought the problem was with their individual water tanks or RO purifiers. But later, everyone realised that the greenish and bad-smelling water was being supplied to all areas. The PCMC should solve the problem on a priority basis,' he said. According to Siddhe, PCMC officials have admitted that there is an issue with their water filtration unit. However, they have maintained that the overall water quality is not harmful—an assurance residents are finding difficult to believe given the growing number of people falling sick, he said. Pramod Ombhase, joint city engineer, PCMC, said, 'We have received complaints from residents about contaminated water supply. We will take preventive measures on priority. The water lines will be flushed and the citizens will once again get safe and clean water for drinking,' he said.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Time of India
Hajj 2025: What to know about safety, costs, and new rules
Mecca, Saudi Arabia – Muslims worldwide are gathering in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. This important religious event, one of Islam's Five Pillars, involves rituals dating back over 1,400 years. However, this year's Hajj comes with challenges, including extreme heat, a ban on young children, and measures against unauthorized entry. Heat concerns Last year, high temperatures caused over 1,300 deaths during the Hajj. Temperatures reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit). Saudi authorities are advising pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight, stay covered, and wear light clothing. They also provided safety kits with information on dehydration and heat exhaustion. Despite these efforts, avoiding heat and crowds is difficult. Temperatures are already around 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit). Children banned Saudi Arabia has banned children under 12 from participating in this year's Hajj. Officials say this is to protect children from the dangers of large crowds. While children are not required to perform Hajj until puberty, some parents want them to experience it. Talha Ayub, a father from Lahore, Pakistan, said his children are staying with relatives while he and his wife perform Hajj. 'Even if children were allowed, we probably wouldn't have taken them because the weather is extremely harsh this year,' said Ayub. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo Costs and waiting lists The cost of Hajj ranges from $4,000 to $20,000, depending on various factors. Some countries are trying to lower costs to make it more affordable. Zaheer Ahmad, a business owner from Pakistan, used a payment plan to afford his trip. He said, 'Otherwise, I might not have been able to go for Hajj at all.' Many Muslim-majority countries have long waiting lists for Hajj. Indonesia has 5.4 million people waiting. Some countries, like India, ban repeat pilgrims to give others a chance. Live Events Farid Ahmed Majumder, secretary general of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh, said the country was allowed to send some 127,000 pilgrims this year but failed to meet this quota, mainly because of higher costs. Pakistan has reduced the price of the state-run Hajj program. It has also debuted a flexible payment system. Zaheer Ahmad, a business owner from Pakistan, used a payment plan to afford his trip. He paid in three installments, applying for the Hajj in December with an advance and finishing his payments in February. 'Otherwise, I might not have been able to go for Hajj at all,' he said. In Saudi Arabia, which has also introduced flexible payments, domestic pilgrims pay 20% within 72 hours of booking, another 40% during Ramadan and the final 40% the following month. Unauthorized pilgrimages Saudi Arabia is working to prevent unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages . In April, the country suspended short-term visas for 14 countries to control travel. Authorities stated that many who died from heat last year were unregistered and lacked access to facilities. The Interior Ministry has warned of fines up to $5,330 for entering Mecca without a proper visa. India has a ban on 'repeaters' and excludes applications from anyone who has previously performed the pilgrimage through the national Hajj committee, although there are exceptions from those accompanying certain categories of people like the elderly. With a restricted supply of Hajj spaces, it's inevitable that people will try to find ways to get to the holy city and stay there. In April, to curb unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages and control inbound travel, Saudi Arabia suspended the issue of short-term visas for 14 countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco. People have in the past traveled to Saudi Arabia on short-term visas and entered Mecca without official permission for the Hajj. Authorities said that many of those who died in the heat during last year's Hajj were unregistered and unable to access air-conditioned pilgrim amenities. The Interior Ministry warned in May that a fine of up to 20,000 riyals, or about $5,330, would be imposed on anyone attempting to enter Mecca during the Hajj without the correct visa.
