Two school teachers in Odisha have died within two days while performing census duties, allegedly due to heatstroke. The incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of field workers amid soaring temperatures in the state.
Deaths Reported in Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh
The fatalities were reported from Mayurbhanj district and Sundargarh district, where temperatures have crossed 37°C.
In Mayurbhanj, Rajkapur Hembram, a teacher at Baidyanath High School, fell unconscious after returning from door-to-door census work. He was admitted to a hospital in Baripada, where he later passed away.
In a separate incident, Anurag Ekka, a teacher from Jarada Government High School in Sundargarh, also became unwell during census duty. Despite being shifted from a local health centre to a district hospital, he could not be saved.
Allegations of Work Pressure Despite Illness
Family members of the deceased have alleged that Rajkapur Hembram had informed colleagues about feeling unwell but continued working due to pressure related to census responsibilities.
He had reportedly been assigned multiple villages for enumeration, which required extensive outdoor activity during peak heat hours.
Rising Heat Concerns and Previous Incident
This marks the third such incident in recent days. Earlier, a census enumerator in Sonepur district reportedly died of a heart attack after returning from field duty.
The series of incidents highlights the increasing risks faced by frontline workers during extreme weather conditions.
Government Guidelines and Safety Measures
The state government has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for census officials to minimize heat-related risks.
Key guidelines include:
- Avoid fieldwork between 11 AM and 3 PM
- Stay hydrated and carry Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
- Limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight
Authorities have stated that district collectors are investigating the incidents, and the exact causes of death will be confirmed after official reports.
Need for Stronger Worker Protection
These incidents underline the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety guidelines and better protection for workers engaged in outdoor duties during heatwaves.
Ensuring safe working conditions remains critical, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent.
