Heatwave toll continues to rise

45 more people have died due to sunstroke in Odisha in last 24 hrs; total deaths 99 so far

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THE suspected sunstroke death toll in Odisha stood at 141 on Sunday with the state recording 45 more fatalities in the last 24 hours. As the state continued to bear the brunt of the blistering conditions, western districts remained the epicentre.

According to the Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office, a total of 99 suspected heatstroke deaths were reported in the last 72 years. Of the total suspected heatstroke deaths in the last three days, 20 cases have been confirmed by collectors of various districts basing on post-mortem and joint inquiry reports, while it was ascertained two cases were not due to sunstroke.