North Maharashtra recorded its first heatstroke fatality of the season after a 34-year-old fruit vendor died in Jalgaon district on Wednesday, amid temperatures hovering around 43°C.
Dr Swapnil Sangle, the Jalgaon civil surgeon, said the postmortem report confirmed that Anand Bhoi died due to heat stroke. "Heat stroke is a silent killer, and people generally tend to take it lightly," he said.
Bhoi was selling fruits at a market in Pachora town when he reportedly felt dizzy and collapsed. He was taken to a government hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Warning of the dangers posed by extreme heat, Dr Sangle said younger people often ignore warning signs and try to endure heat exposure, which can prove fatal. He stressed that even brief inattention during extreme temperatures can have serious consequences.
The doctor advised citizens to avoid working under the sun unless essential and to take precautions, including drinking water every 30 minutes, even if not thirsty. "Initial symptoms include uneasiness and nausea. One should immediately hydrate and maintain electrolyte balance. Neglect can first damage the kidneys and may eventually turn fatal," he said. Dr Sangle added that medicines and treatment facilities are available at government hospitals, but timely recognition of symptoms and early medical intervention are critical.
Meanwhile, district administrations across Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nandurbar and Ahilyanagar have appealed to citizens to take necessary precautions during the heatwave. Authorities have advised avoiding outdoor activities between 11am and 4pm, using caps, scarves or umbrellas, wearing light-coloured cotton clothing, and staying adequately hydrated. All government healthcare facilities, officials said, have been equipped with required medicines, beds and medical staff to handle heat-related illnesses.
