Pune: In Only 6 Days, Maharashtra Heatstroke Cases Rise from 44 to 70
Pune: Heatstroke cases in Maharashtra have surged dramatically in just six days, rising nearly 59% from 44 around April 17 to 70 by April 23, as temperatures above 40°C continue to scorch parts of Vidarbha and other regions, according to health officials.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) data showed Parbhani in Marathwada recorded the highest temperature in the state on Saturday at 44.2°C, while Prayagraj and Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh led the nation with 44.8°C. Within Maharashtra, Yavatmal registered 42.4°C, followed by Amravati at 42.8°C and Wardha at 42.6°C.
Pune’s Shivajinagar witnessed a significant drop in temperature, recording 39.4°C, which is 0.7 degrees above normal but considerably lower than Friday’s 40.2°C. However, Lohegaon airport area continued its streak of above 40°C temperatures, registering 41.9°C on Saturday compared to 42.7°C the previous day, maintaining a concerning departure of 3.2 degrees above normal.
“We are seeing a significant increase in heat-related illnesses, including gastroenteritis, kidney stones, dehydration, giddiness, and heat exhaustion,” said a consultant physician and professor at Dr DY Patil Medical College. “When temperatures increase to such levels, these issues become common, including energy depletion and muscle pain. I have been treating 8-10 such patients daily since last week.”
The district-wise heatstroke report showed Yavatmal was the worst affected with 11 cases, followed by Buldhana with 9 and Nagpur with 8 cases. Gadchiroli, Jalna, and Parbhani each reported 5 cases, while Dhule registered 4 cases. Most other districts reported between 1 and 3 cases, with several reporting none. Pune has reported one case so far.
Vidarbha region, which has been experiencing heatwave conditions for several days, continued to bear the brunt of the extreme temperatures. Brahmapuri, which recorded the highest temperature in the country on Friday at 45.5°C, saw a significant drop to 44.2°C on Saturday, though still remaining dangerously high.
The IMD forecast for Sunday warns of continuing hot and humid weather at isolated places over Gujarat, Marathwada, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema, and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. “Warm night conditions are very likely at isolated places over west Rajasthan and Telangana. Heat wave conditions are likely in isolated pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad and west Madhya Pradesh,” the weather agency stated.
Health officials have urged residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and take necessary precautions during the peak afternoon hours as the heatwave is expected to persist in the coming days.
