Heatstroke

The 2025 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change reveals a 63 per cent rise in heat-related deaths since the 1990s, warning that humanity is edging towards survival limits

India reported 7,192 suspected heatstroke cases and only 14 confirmed deaths due to extreme heat between March 1 and June 24 this year, according to data obtained by PTI under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The country had reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat in 2024, the warmest year on record in India since 1901. The data, shared by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reveals that the majority of cases were reported in May, the peak of the summer season, with 2,962 suspected cases and three confirmed deaths. April saw 2,140 suspected cases and six confirmed deaths, while March recorded 705 cases and two deaths. During June, up to June 24, 1,385 suspected cases and three deaths were documented. Andhra Pradesh accounted for more than half of the total suspected heatstroke cases, reporting 4,055 during the period. Rajasthan reported 373 cases, followed by Odisha (350), Telangana (348) and Madhya Pradesh (297). Despite these

The weatherman has also warned of "double heatwave" days in northwest India this summer season

People doing strenuous exercise, especially if they're not in great shape, are among those at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke

The prolonged heatwave sweeping large parts of the country has claimed more lives, with 143 recorded deaths and 41,789 people suffering from suspected heatstroke between March 1 and June 20 this year, Health ministry sources said on Friday. However, the heatwave toll is expected to be higher than this as the data compiled under the National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) does not have updated submissions from states. Several health facilities are also yet to upload data on number of heatwave casualties. According to the official data, on June 20 itself there have been 14 confirmed deaths due to heatstroke and nine deaths due to suspected heatstroke, taking the death toll in the March-June period to 143 from 114. Uttar Pradesh is the worst-affected, having reported 35 deaths followed by Delhi (21) and Bihar and Rajasthan (17 each), according to the data. Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Thursday asked officials to vis

Amid a heatwave in various parts of the country, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday stressed the need for ensuring development without harming the environment. The Congress general secretary noted that there have been reports of cutting of trees in large numbers in many states. "On the other hand, heat is causing deaths across the country. Rising temperatures are creating new records. This time, the month of April has been recorded as the hottest April in history," Priyanka Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. "Development work is necessary, but we need to protect the environment as much as possible. We all have to work together to ensure development that takes us forward without harming our environment," she said. The punishingly long heatwave has led to a surge in heat stroke casualties in north India, including Delhi, prompting the Centre to issue an advisory to hospitals on Wednesday to set up special units to cater to such patients.

The unrelenting heatwave sweeping large parts of the country has claimed at least 110 lives and left over 40,000 people grappling with suspected heatstroke between March 1 and June 18 this year, Health ministry sources said on Thursday. Uttar Pradesh is the worst-affected having reported 36 deaths followed by Bihar, Rajasthan and Odisha, according to the data compiled under the National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). "The data visible may not be final submission from states. So the numbers are expected to be higher than this," an official source said. According to the data, on June 18 alone there have been six deaths due to heatstroke. Swathes of northern and eastern India have been in the grip of a long heat wave, increasing heat stroke casualties and prompting the Centre to issue advisory to hospitals to set up special units to cater to such patients. Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Wednesday directed that specia

At least 12 people, mostly daily wage labourers are in critical condition battling for their lives on ventilator support

The cases of heatstroke are rising not only during the day but at night as well. Hence, it is very important to know the signs and symptoms of a heatstroke

With many parts of the country in the grip of a heatwave, the Centre has asked states and Union territories to conduct follow-up reviews to ensure dedicated heat stroke rooms at all health facilities besides implementing critical fire and electrical safety measures. Dr Atul Goel, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Union Health Ministry conducted a virtual review meeting with states and UTs to assess the preparedness for heatwave conditions and fire safety measures adopted by various healthcare facilities across the country. State Health departments have been issued advisories and asked to implement guidelines on strengthening health systems preparedness for Heat-Related Illnesses (HRI) besides issuing a public health advisory with do's and don'ts. They have been urged to follow the guidelines on emergency cooling for severe heat-related illnesses and autopsy findings in heat related deaths. State health departments have been asked to adhere to the joint communication fr

Heatwaves can pose more than just a threat to our physical well-being; they can also wreak havoc on our eyesight

Zerodha co-founder and CEO Nithin Kamath has said that he suffered a mild stroke about six weeks ago, announcing it on social media site X, mentioning that he felt "slightly broken"

Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention as it can be fatal if not treated promptly

The Met department has predicted that the heat wave would continue for the next 24 hours

People aged 65 and older accounted for over 80 per cent of the deaths from heatstroke in the past five years

But expanding AC coverage too quickly also threatens to worsen the crisis it's responding to. Most units use a refrigerant that's far more damaging than carbon dioxide

Most states unprepared with action plans, as country stares at extreme weather, say experts

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An orange alert has also been issued for parts of Bihar, West Bengal, and Delhi amid rising temperatures

Stroke is the second commonest cause of death in India with the country recording one stroke death every four minutes, neurologist M V Padma Srivastava said. Speaking at an event, Srivastava stated India bore the maximum burden of stroke with 68.6 per cent incidence of stroke, 70.9 per cent stroke deaths and 77.7 per cent disability adjusted life years (DALYs) lost. She was speaking at an oration organised at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to celebrate International Women's Day. Srivastava delivered the oration on "stroke care and its primary preventive methods in poor resource settings in India". "Stroke is the second commonest cause of death in India. About 1,85,000 strokes occur every year in India with nearly one stroke every 40 seconds and one stroke death every 4 minutes. "According to Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), India bore the most of the burden of stroke with 68.6 per cent incidence of stroke, 70.9 per cent stroke deaths and 77.7 per cent disability adjusted life years ..