A heatwave claimed the life of a daily wage worker in Jalgaon district on Friday, while Nashik recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius on the same day. The 35-year-old construction worker collapsed and died in the early hours in Raver town. Doctors suspected heat stroke as the cause of his death.
The mercury climbed up to 42.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday in Jalgaon. The maximum temperature was 43.3 degrees Celsius on Friday, making it the hottest district in the Nashik region.
Health department sources said the construction worker's condition deteriorated rapidly after prolonged exposure to extreme heat while working outdoors throughout the day. He reportedly complained of severe exhaustion and discomfort after returning home. He collapsed late in the night. He was rushed for treatment when his condition turned critical around midnight, but was declared dead around 1 am on Friday. Doctors said heatstroke was the likely cause of his death. The confirmation will come after the post-mortem.
The deceased, the sole breadwinner of his family, worked as a daily wage worker at construction sites to support his wife and two young children. To supplement his earnings amid rising living costs, he also worked at a dairy during his spare time, a source said.
The district administration has issued heat advisories, urging residents to avoid outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours and stay adequately hydrated. Officials appealed to employers to ensure basic safety measures for workers, particularly because maximum temperatures are expected to remain above 42 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
Jalgaon emerged as the hottest district on Friday in the Nashik region, including Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nandurbar and Ahilyanagar, with a maximum temperature of 43.3 degrees Celsius. In Nashik district, Malegaon city recorded a maximum temperature of 42.6 degrees Celsius. Nashik city logged the season's highest maximum temperature at 39.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday. It dipped marginally to 39.6 degrees Celsius on Friday.
