KOLKATA: At least four voters in West Midnapore, Malda, and Birbhum lost their lives amid scorching heat during the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election on Thursday. Two of the deaths occurred after the individuals returned from polling booths, one inside a booth, and another on the way to the polling station.
Heat Warning Issued
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange heat warning for one or two locations in West Burdwan, where temperatures were expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The Met department also forecast hot and humid conditions for areas in Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum, and West Midnapore. Kolkata experienced another day of intense heat and humidity, with the maximum temperature reaching 36.8 degrees Celsius, the highest recorded so far this season. While the city's weather is likely to remain hot and humid on Friday, the Met office predicted rain by the weekend.
Deaths Reported
West Midnapore
Two deaths were reported from the Keshpur Assembly constituency in West Midnapore. Sk Bablu, a 66-year-old resident of Uchahar village, complained of feeling unwell after casting his vote while waiting in a queue under the searing heat. He managed to return home, but his health deteriorated. He was taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The other victim, Isratan Biwi, 59, from Sima Gediya village, collapsed as she was boarding a toto after leaving the polling booth. She died before she could be taken to a doctor's clinic.
Malda
The third death occurred in Malda, where Pramila Bagdi, 50, a resident of Khempur village under the Malatipur Assembly constituency, suffered a stroke inside booth 153 after casting her vote. She was taken to the hospital but was declared dead.
Birbhum
A senior citizen in Suri, Birbhum, suffered a stroke and died while on his way to the polling booth to cast his vote.
Meteorological Response
Regional Meteorological Centre Kolkata head H R Biswas stated, "We had issued an orange alert for a heatwave or hot and humid weather conditions for a few districts in advance, considering people would be queuing up in the sun to cast their votes. The alert was also accompanied by suggestions as preventive measures." A Met official noted that in some of those districts, the mercury remained close to 40 degrees Celsius or above, making outdoor heat conditions unbearable.
While Kolkata was spared a heatwave, the maximum temperature climbed slightly compared to Wednesday. The Met office sees no further rise in mercury, but relief is not expected before Saturday. "We are expecting a series of thundershowers from Saturday. In that case, the mercury will start climbing down again, providing a respite from the heat and humidity," added Biswas.
Even as dry westerly and northwesterly winds at the lower level are blowing into the city, Met officials said the wind pattern would start changing in both the upper and lower levels.
