MIRZAPUR, UP: Eleven personnel on poll duty in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts of Uttar Pradesh succumbed to suspected heat-related ailments on Friday, district officials have confirmed. Among the deceased were six home guards and three polling personnel in Mirzapur, along with two polling personnel in Sonbhadra.
The tragic incident occurred amidst soaring temperatures, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recording maximum day temperatures of 47 degrees Celsius in both districts. The extreme heat conditions coincide with the final phase of Lok Sabha elections scheduled for Saturday in these regions.
Details of the Incident
A senior official in Mirzapur reported that the home guards deployed on poll duty complained of giddiness and uneasiness due to the heat. They were promptly rushed to the trauma center of the divisional hospital, where six of them later died during treatment.
Mirzapur Superintendent of Police Abhinandan and District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan confirmed the deaths of the nine poll personnel in the district. According to the SP, the home guards collapsed while en route to polling stations. Two of the deceased home guards were from Gonda, and one each from Prayagraj, Basti, Kaushambi, and Mirzapur. Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations, and their families have been informed.
The DM detailed that a consolidation officer, a health department clerk, and a sanitation worker were among the three polling personnel who died in Mirzapur on Friday. Their bodies have also been sent for post-mortem examinations.
In Sonbhadra, District Magistrate Chandravijay Singh confirmed the deaths of two poll personnel. “There was scorching heat during noon. Polling parties were leaving for polling booths from Polytechnic Ground when some personnel took ill. Unfortunately, two polling personnel, Nityanand Pandey and another, died. The exact cause of death will be determined by post-mortem,” he stated.
Response and Reactions
The district administration in both regions is closely monitoring the situation and ensuring the treatment of those affected by the heat. Ten additional home guards in Mirzapur and six more polling personnel in Sonbhadra are currently receiving treatment for similar heat-related issues at government hospitals.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has called for substantial compensation for the families of the deceased. “The government should break its silence and come forward to provide emotional relief to those whose families have been destroyed due to mismanagement. The government should immediately declare a compensation of ₹5 crore each,” Yadav posted on X.
Broader Impact of Heatwave
The severe heatwave has not been confined to Mirzapur and Sonbhadra. In Kanpur, 11 people have died of suspected heatstroke over the past few days, with temperatures fluctuating between 46°C and 48°C. This May has been recorded as the hottest since 1988, with temperatures exceeding 48°C multiple times.
District authorities are conducting post-mortem examinations to determine the exact causes of these deaths. District Magistrate Rakesh Singh emphasized that the autopsy results would clarify the reasons behind the fatalities. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chander confirmed that several bodies have been sent for post-mortem due to heatwave concerns.
“We have sent 11 bodies for autopsy today; the cause of death will be clear after the post-mortem. Seven post-mortems were conducted today, and we are awaiting the reports,” he said.
The incidents highlight the critical need for measures to protect those on duty during extreme weather conditions, ensuring their safety and well-being amid rising temperatures.
