A 44-year-old construction worker, Biswajit Sahu, collapsed and died in Sambalpur on Saturday as the district continued to face an intense heatwave.
Witnesses said Biswajit fell ill between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. while working on a concrete site in Jhankar Pali under Sambalpur Sadar police limits. Co-workers rushed him home and later to Sambalpur District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Family members alleged that Biswajit died of sunstroke, pointing to the extreme temperatures that have hovered around 41°C to 42°C for nearly a week. His sudden death has left behind his wife and son, who now face hardship.
Local youth groups and BJP leaders, including Mahadev Pradhan, assisted the family in transporting the body to the hospital and supported them through post-mortem and funeral arrangements. Residents described Biswajit as an active member of the village youth association, often helping organise sports and cultural events.
