Heatwave in UP: Ballia deaths not heatwave-related, says probe team
What's the story
Amid the heatwave in Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Health Director Dr. AK Singh, who is heading the probe committee into the recent deaths in the Ballia district, dismissed heat as the cause.
Nearly 54 people reportedly died and 400 were hospitalized in Ballia in the past three days due to high temperatures.
Bihar also reported at least 44 heat-related fatalities in different districts recently.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Over 50 fatalities in only three days in a single district sparked concern, prompting the state government to order an investigation.
Most of the deaths were reportedly attributed to heart attacks, brain strokes, and diarrhea by the doctors in Ballia.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the maximum temperature in Ballia was 42.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, which is 4.7 degrees higher than average.
Details
'Prima facie deaths do not appear heatwave-related': Lucknow health director
Detailing the findings of the preliminary investigation, Singh said, "Prima facie, these don't appear to be heatwave-related deaths because nearby districts facing similar conditions are not throwing up similar death figures."
He said the deaths could be water-related as the initial symptoms were mostly chest pain—not the first symptom of heatwave-related illnesses.
Singh claimed the actual cause would be ascertained from the detailed investigation.
Twitter Post
Watch: What Lucknow Health Director Singh said
#WATCH | Ballia, UP: Most of the patients who are coming for treatment complain that they first had chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and then fever. We are getting urine tests, blood tests, and other tests done. The rest of the patients came to the hospital out of fear &… pic.twitter.com/52lztudVJn
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 19, 2023
Reports
Whistleblower doctor removed after outrage over Ballia deaths
Reportedly, the then Chief Medical Superintendent of the Ballia District Hospital first attributed the deaths to the ongoing heatwave while speaking to the media.
The incident triggered nationwide concern, prompting UP Health Minister Brajesh Pathak to term his remark "careless" and "without foundation." T
The doctor's statement went viral, and he was removed from his post.
Reactions
UP government faces opposition ire over Balia deaths
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav reacted sharply to the incident and accused the state government of negligence.
"So many people across UP have lost lives because of the carelessness of the state govt. They should have warned the people about the heatwave," he said.
"The deceased are poor farmers. They didn't receive food, medicines, and treatment on time," he alleged.