Delhi heatwave claims 25 lives in 24 hours

A total of 25 fatalities due to suspected heat-related illnesses have been recorded at Delhi’s RML, Safdarjung, and LNJP hospitals in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

Delhi has been battling searing heatwave conditions over the last few days. However, light rain on Thursday morning provided some relief.

Hospitals in Delhi have seen a rise in the number of casualties and patients due to heatstroke.

According to officials at Safdarjung Hospital, 33 patients suffering from heat-related illnesses were admitted, and 13 of them died in the last 24 hours.

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The Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital received 26 patients with suspected heatstroke in the last 24 hours, of which seven have died, according to a senior doctor.

“In the past 24 hours, a total number of seven patients lost their lives due to the extreme heatwave condition at the RML hospital, while 26 patients were admitted to the hospital due to heat-related illness,” a senior doctor told Patriot.

In the past 24 hours, 7 patients lost their lives due to the extreme heatwave conditions at RML Hospital, while 26 patients were admitted due to heat-related illnesses.

The youngest patient, a 26-year-old, and the oldest, a 77-year-old man, were among those admitted. However, most patients were aged between 30 and 50.

“The deceased include a construction worker (50), salesman (35), cart puller (58), and guard (55),” said a senior doctor.

This marks the highest number of fatalities due to heatstroke registered by RML Hospital in a single day.

“Currently, there are 32 patients admitted, with 26 on ventilator support and 6 stable,” the doctor added. Additionally, “19 patients were brought in dead, though it’s not confirmed if their deaths were due to heat-related illness”.

The Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital has 17 patients admitted to its casualty ward, and five patients succumbed in the last 24 hours, an official source said.

Meanwhile, at the city’s main crematorium, Nigambodh Ghat, the number of cremations has seen a spike. Officials could not confirm if the deaths were related to heatstrokes.

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On Wednesday, 142 corpses were brought to Nigambodh Ghat for cremation, nearly 136 per cent higher than the daily average of 50-60 bodies, said Suman Gupta, general secretary of the Nigambodh Ghat Sanchalan Samiti, which manages operations at the crematorium.

The number was higher on Tuesday as well, with 97 bodies cremated at the city’s oldest and largest crematorium.

“Usually, around 50-60 bodies are brought in here daily for cremation. The number has been higher in the last few days. Today, 35 cremations have taken place since morning, and the number may go up by the end of the day,” Gupta said. (With inputs from PTI)