Heat wave death toll 22 in Orissa, Schools closed

The sunstroke death toll in Orissa reached 22, even as the killer heat wave continues to play havoc in most parts of the state. Although the state government has officially put the death toll at 4, 22 people have been died so far by sunstroke. The Orissa government has ordered the closure of all schools in the state from today. The government also has decided to pay an ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the next of the kin of those who have died.

The maximum temperature hovers between 42 - 45 degree Celsius in most areas of the state. Situation in Talcher, Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar is alarming. People have stopped moving outside home or office after 12 PM. Normal life has come to a complete halt because of the unprecedented heat wave.

According to the Met department, the north-westerly wind pattern is responsible for the sudden rise in mercury level. The current heat wave is likely to prevail for at least 3/4 days. Shortage of drinking water has been a new addition to people's woes. Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered all concerned authorities to deal with the challenge on a war footing. He has asked the officials to repair defunct tube wells with immediate effect.