The Statesman (India): Severe heat wave conditions claimed two in Kandhamal and one in Rayagada district today, bringing the official death toll up to 25, although the actual number of mortalities may be much higher.Official sources maintain that at least 30 of those being described as 'heat wave-related deaths' were due to other ailments, while 39 other instances are being cross checked. "Till date, we have confirmation of only 25 heat-related deaths," said officials here.
Most parts of western and southern Orissa continue to reel under temperatures of over 40 degree Celsius. The coastal belt had some respite with the mercury dipping to 37 degrees and a breeze providing some comfort.
Water scarcity has made matters worse for people across the state. Ground water sources have dried up and pipe water supply is erratic. Even in parts of the state capital Bhubaneswar, people close to the CM Mr Naveen Patnaik’s residence said that wells had dried up and commercial establishments were buying water as the bore wells had stopped functioning.
…Common people and experts in Sambalpur attribute the rise in temperature to rapid industrialisation and loss of forest both by industries and Mafias. “First of all, the balance between trees and industry is never maintained,” said Prof. Artabandhu Mishra, an environmentalist. "The ground water level in these areas also influences temperature. This is decreasing drastically and no efforts are being made to improve it," he opined.
Locator map of Bhubaneswar in India
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