17 deaths in 3 days in Nagpur amid heatwave under scrutiny; cops say 'due to extreme temperature'

Amid scorching summer in Nagpur, where the temperature has crossed 46 degrees Celsius, the deaths of 17 people in the last three days at various places, including five at the railway station on Wednesday, are under scrutiny, with police suspecting heat exposure as the likely cause. The deceased include persons found near station premises, on roadsides, beneath flyovers, near markets, gardens and public spaces. Most of them appeared to be homeless or living in vulnerable conditions, according to police. Police suspect that extreme heat and prolonged exposure may have contributed to several of the fatalities. "Many victims appeared to be homeless or travelling in difficult conditions. The medical reports will confirm the exact causes behind fatalities, but heat exposure is suspected in many cases," a senior Nagpur Police officer said.

Police have registered accidental death cases in all incidents and are awaiting post-mortem reports to determine the exact causes of death. On May 24, three unidentified men were found unconscious in Pachpaoli, Imamwada and Hudkeshwar areas of Nagpur city. Another body was recovered from a garden near the Aradhana bus stop in Wathoda. A day later, a resident of the Government Beggars' Reception Centre in Kapil Nagar died during treatment at Mayo Hospital, while two more unidentified men were found unconscious at Ashok Chowk and Medical Chowk, who were declared dead, police said. The deaths continued on May 26 and 27. At Kalamna Fruit Market, an unidentified man aged around 50 years was found unconscious and later declared dead at Mayo Hospital. Three more unidentified men were discovered beneath the Sakkardara flyover and near Mota Tajbagh within a span of a few hours on Tuesday. They were declared dead later, according to the police.

Another unidentified man aged around 65 years was found unconscious beneath the Lakadganj flyover near Krishna Bhojanalaya in the early hours of Tuesday and was declared dead at Mayo Hospital, police said. The heatwave also affected railway passengers and people staying near the station premises.

According to a release issued by the Railway Police, five deaths were reported at Nagpur railway station on Wednesday. They include a 40-year-old man, who was found dead in the guard's coach of Train No. 22692, while a 70-year-old elderly man was discovered dead near the waiting hall on Platform No. 1, the GRP stated. Three passengers, identified as Musarika Ronnama (60), who was travelling in train no. 15293, Meharban Kewat (34) from train no. 12621, and another passenger from the S 2 coach of train No. 12833, also died. Officials said prolonged illness combined with extreme heat may have worsened their condition. Civic officials have urged citizens to stay hydrated, avoid stepping out during afternoon hours and immediately inform authorities if anyone is found unconscious in public places.