Ballia: Amid the rising temperatures in the district, 54 people have died and around 400 hospitalised in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia in the last three days. 23 patients died on June 15, 20 on the next day and 11 on June 17. While officials are offering divergent explanations for the deaths, doctors at government hospital in eastern UP said that the record deaths could be linked to heatwave.
“Prima facie, these do not appear to be heatwave-related deaths because nearby districts facing similar conditions are not throwing up similar death figures. The initial symptoms were of chest pain mostly which is not the first symptom for someone affected by a heatwave”, said AK Singh, senior government doctor incharge of a probe committee.
Earlier on Sunday, UP’s Health Minister Brajesh Pathak removed chief medical superintendent rank doctor posted at Ballia for saying a record statement saying many of the deaths were due to heatstrokes went viral.
As north India continues to reel under an extreme heatwave, at least 98 have died in Bihar and UP due to severe heat in last three days. Most patients admitted are above the age of 60, said chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Jayant Kumar.