Amritsar in Punjab recorded the highest number of heatstroke-related deaths in 2024, according to NCRB data released for the year. According to the data, the city recorded as many as 78 fatalities in 2024, all of which were directly or indirectly linked to heatstroke.
The figures have raised serious concern in a city that witnesses a massive floating population throughout the year.
Samson Masih, secretary of the district Red Cross, said Amritsar is globally known for providing free food round the clock at the Guru Ramdas Ji Langar Hall of the Golden Temple. Besides this, langar stalls and chabeels — the free distribution of sweetened water — are organised across the city on religious occasions by Sikh, Hindu and other communities.
However, even with such large-scale charity work, the high number of deaths points to a stark reality. A majority of these deaths are often linked to poor people and beggars from different states coming to the holy city with minimal preparation and even lesser life-supporting commodities, which makes them highly vulnerable.
These people are often seen outside religious shrines and mazars, on roadsides and dividers. In recent years, many have also started standing outside food outlets seeking meals and other essentials.
Activists have raised concerns that the prolonged and intense heatwave that swept the region from April to June 2024 was a major cause of these deaths.
Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh said the Health Department would be asked to examine the causes behind the high number of casualties. He said Punjab is trying to revive its green cover with state-wide afforestation drives every year. However, the alarming rise in heatwave-related deaths is a warning that the process needs to be accelerated.
He also directed the Red Cross and NGOs to arrange cold drinking water facilities at public places, install umbrellas, and conduct awareness seminars for the public.
Also read: Chandigarh gets respite from heatwave as dust storm sweeps in
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