Bhopal has recorded what is feared to be its first human fatality linked directly to the ongoing severe cold wave. An elderly man was found dead near the parking area of JP Hospital in the early hours of Monday, his body succumbing to the biting chill that has gripped the city.
A Tragic Morning at the Hospital Premises
According to eyewitness accounts, the 60-year-old man, identified as Uttam Rao, a resident of Panchsheel Nagar, was sitting with a security guard around a bonfire in a desperate attempt to keep warm. In a sudden turn of events, he fell unconscious and slumped to the ground. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending doctors.
Based on the sequence of events, authorities strongly suspect that the severe cold wave was the primary cause of his death. A team from the Habibganj police station took custody of the body and sent it for a post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause.
The Life and Struggle of Uttam Rao
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Vishwanath Uikey provided further details about the deceased. Uttam Rao lived with his brother, Santosh Rao. Their parents died in their childhood, and Uttam never married. He led a nomadic life, occasionally visiting home but mostly living outdoors.
A security guard at JP Hospital revealed that Uttam had been staying on the hospital premises for the past three days, under the open sky, surviving on begged food. Eyewitnesses stated he spent the bitterly cold nights huddled around bonfires for warmth.
"He layered 2-3 T-shirts over his frail self and wrapped a thin blanket around them, barely enough to keep out the cold," shared ASI Uikey, painting a grim picture of the man's vulnerability. His identity was confirmed through an Aadhaar card found on him, after which his brother was informed.
City Shivers Under a Relentless Cold Spell
The tragedy has highlighted the perilous conditions faced by the homeless as Bhopal endures an intense cold spell. Over the last few days, the mercury has taken a sharp plunge, with day temperatures falling significantly below normal. The intense cold, combined with dense fog, has raised serious concerns about the plight of those living on the streets, scrambling for warm shelter.
This incident underscores the urgent need for:
- Increased night shelter capacity during extreme weather.
- Proactive outreach by social services to vulnerable populations.
- Public awareness and community help for the homeless.
The death of Uttam Rao serves as a stark reminder of how extreme weather events claim the most vulnerable first, turning a meteorological phenomenon into a human tragedy.
