Nagpur: The city of Nagpur recorded a blistering 46 degrees Celsius on Thursday, marking the third consecutive day of intense heatwave conditions. This comes as Brahmapuri experienced its hottest day in 11 years, sizzling at 47.1 degrees Celsius, making it the second hottest place in India.
Five Districts Among Top 10 Hottest in India
Five districts in the region featured among the top 10 hottest places in India. These include Chandrapur at 46.8 degrees Celsius, Gadchiroli and Wardha both at 46.4 degrees Celsius, Nagpur at 46 degrees Celsius, and Amravati at 45.8 degrees Celsius. A red alert has been sounded for Wardha, Akola, and Amravati, while Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Yavatmal are placed under an orange alert for the next two days.
Suspected Heatstroke Deaths Surge
With temperatures consistently remaining high since May 13, a total of 26 unknown bodies have been received at mortuaries. The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has received 11 bodies, while the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) has received 15 during this period. Officials reported that these individuals were found lying near roadsides under mysterious circumstances. A thorough pathological analysis of the viscera will be conducted to ascertain the actual cause of death. These deaths are being treated as suspected heatstroke cases and have been referred to the district death audit committee for confirmation. The surge in such deaths coincides with the rise in temperature, leading to suspicions that they could be victims of heatstroke.
NMC's Heat Action Plan Remains on Paper
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is expected to activate its heat action plan to prevent citizens from exposure to the heatwave. However, despite approval from top civic officials, the proposal to cool overheated cement concrete roads by spraying treated water remains confined to paper. This proposal was cleared over a month ago during a heat action plan meeting. The NMC health (medical) department had recommended that the public health engineering department deploy tankers to spray treated water on major roads to reduce rising surface temperatures during the ongoing heatwave. The proposal was approved by Mayor Neeta Thakre and Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar during two separate review meetings. Yet, no visible implementation has begun, even as residents continue to face intense heat radiating from the city's nearly 2,000-kilometer-long network of cement concrete roads. Civic officials had planned targeted spraying in high-traffic stretches to curb heat retention and improve commuter comfort during peak afternoon hours.
Traffic Signals and Lack of Shade Nets Add to Woes
Another major lapse during the ongoing heatwave is the functioning of traffic signals during peak afternoon hours between 1 pm and 4 pm. A decision was made to keep signals at several intersections on blinking mode. However, signals at several busy intersections, including Awasthi Nagar Square, Police Talao T-Point, Japanese Garden Square, and PKV Salve Square, reportedly remained functional, forcing motorists and commuters to wait under the scorching sun amid soaring temperatures. Adding to the concern, no green shade nets have been installed by the NMC at these key junctions, despite repeated claims of heat mitigation measures under the city's heat action plan.
