Heatwave kills 45-yr-old, mercury to rise further in 5 S Bengal districts

 The intense heatwaves on Friday claimed the life of a woman in the state. A 45-year-old ICDS worker fell ill due to the scorching heat at Jhargram in West Midnapore and was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.

This comes at the time when the Regional Meteorological department predicted heatwave in five south Bengal districts.

The victim, Bibha Maity, fell ill while she was on her way to a relative's house at around 11 am on Friday. Locals said she suddenly fell down on the road and lost consciousness. She was declared brought dead when taken to Jhargram Super Specialty Hospital. Doctors suspect that she might have died due to sun stroke.

In another incident, a student of Balaramdihi Primary School at Jhargram fell ill in the classroom on Friday morning and was taken to the hospital where she was provided with necessary treatment. As per the prediction of the meteorological department, the temperature in districts including Purulia, West Midnapore, Bankura, Birbhum and industrial part of Burdwan will be more than 40 degree Celsius on Saturday which is more than 5 degree Celsius above the normal temperature.

The temperature in Purulia on Friday recorded 40.9 degree Celsius. The dry air from north and North-western part of the country has led to the increase in temperature in the five districts.

The temperature in Kolkata and its adjacent areas will continue to remain normal. The temperature in Kolkata is recorded at 33.5 degree Celsius on Friday.

According to the MeT department, there would not be much change in temperature in the city in the next few days.

Unlike the districts, where heatwave has been predicted, the weather in Kolkata is quite humid. With the southerly wind flowing into the city, the dry air is getting restricted here. As a result there is moisture in the city's atmosphere. When the city dwellers have almost started experiencing the uncomfortable summer with high humidity, residents of five South Bengal districts have to take extra precautionsbefore coming out of their houses, especially in the  afternoons as they may fall prey to the scorching sun. 

People have already started to avoid coming out of their houses in the afternoons until and unless it is quite essential. Doctors have advised people not to come out in the afternoon without sunglasses and umbrellas to avoid direct sunlight. They have also advised people to carry water and to sprinkle water on the face in case one feels restless while travelling.