54 Dead, 400 Hospitalised In Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia Due To ‘Severe Heat’: Report

New Delhi: The severe heat has resulted into death of 54 people and left 400 hospitalised in Uttar Pradesh’ Ballia.

The deaths have been reported from Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia District Hospital in the last three days amid soaring temperatures, according to a report in NDTV,

“Doctors have said that though there are different reasons for the deaths, severe heat could be a factor. Hospitalisations are rising because of severe heat,” the report quoted doctors as having said.

A severe heatwave has swept UP, with most places seeing temperatures north of 40 degrees, it said.

It added: “The sudden increase in deaths and patients being admitted to hospitals with fever, breathing trouble, and other issues have overwhelmed the hospital, which has put its staff on alert.”

It stated 23 patients died on June 15, 20 the next day, and 11 yesterday.

The report quoting a senior health official said a team is coming from Lucknow to investigate if there’s some disease which is not being detected.

“When it is too hot or cold, respiratory patients, diabetes patients, and blood pressure patients are at increased risk. The mercury rising a little may have led to their deaths,” the report quoted a senior health official as having said.

“There’s such a rush at the district hospital that patients are unable to get stretchers, and many attendants are carrying their patients to the emergency ward on their shoulders,” it said.

“It gets difficult if ten patients turn up at the same time, but they do have stretchers,” the report quoted a senior health official as having said.