July 27th 2025.
In the months of March to June this year, Odisha, a state in India, had a total of 350 suspected cases of heatstroke and unfortunately, one confirmed death. This data was obtained through the Right to Information Act by PTI. Among all the states in India, Odisha ranked third in terms of heat-related illnesses.
According to the National Centre for Disease Control, India as a whole had 7,192 suspected cases and 14 confirmed deaths due to extreme heat during this time period. Andhra Pradesh had the highest number of suspected cases with 4,055, followed by Rajasthan, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh. Despite having a high number of suspected cases, Odisha only had one confirmed death, which is the same as Telangana, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
However, experts warn that the actual number of deaths may be much higher due to underreporting and difficulties in collecting accurate data. The surveillance system by the NCDC heavily relies on hospital records, which means that deaths that occur outside of hospitals or are misclassified may not be included in the count.
A senior official from the Health Ministry shared with PTI that surveillance systems can only capture a fraction of the actual cases. He also mentioned that even if deaths do occur, they may not be properly classified as heat-related. This highlights the need for improved data collection methods and awareness about the severity of heat-related illnesses.
It is a cause for concern that such a large number of cases and deaths are being reported due to extreme heat. The government and health officials must work towards addressing this issue and taking necessary measures to prevent further casualties. Let us all stay vigilant and take care of ourselves during the hot summer months.
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