Odisha Heatwave Toll: Two Teachers on Census Duty Die in 48 Hours

Bhubaneswar- Two school teachers engaged in Census-related fieldwork have died within two days in separate districts of Odisha, with officials suspecting heat-related illness as a possible cause.

The incidents were reported from Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh, where daytime temperatures have climbed beyond 37°C in recent days, raising concerns over working conditions for personnel involved in outdoor surveys.

In the first case, Rajkapur Hembram, a teacher at a government high school, fell ill after returning from door-to-door Census work in Betanati block. He was rushed to a hospital in Baripada but later succumbed during treatment. Family members claimed he had earlier complained of uneasiness and alleged that he was under pressure to continue duties despite not being well.

In a separate incident, Anurag Ekka, another school teacher posted in Gurundia block of Sundargarh district, reportedly collapsed while on Census duty and died the same day. He was initially taken to a local health centre and later referred to a district hospital as his condition deteriorated.

Officials from the state administration said that inquiries are underway, and the exact cause of both deaths will be confirmed after receiving detailed reports from district authorities. These fatalities come close on the heels of another case earlier this month, where an enumerator reportedly died after returning from Census work.

The developments have drawn attention to the risks faced by field workers amid extreme weather conditions. The state government had already issued guidelines advising Census staff to avoid working under direct sunlight between late morning and mid-afternoon hours, and to stay hydrated while on duty.

Authorities are now expected to review safety measures to prevent further incidents as the heatwave intensifies across parts of the state.