Sundargarh, Odisha — Two school teachers engaged in Census work died allegedly due to sunstroke in separate incidents in Odisha, with one of the deaths occurring in Sundargarh district.

Background

The incidents occurred in Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts, where the temperature has reached over 37 degrees Celsius. This is the third such incident in the state, with an enumerator having allegedly died of a heart attack after returning from census duty in Sonepur district earlier.

Rajkapur Hembram, a teacher at Baidyanath High School under Betnoti block in Mayurbhanj district, died on Sunday evening while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Baripada. He was taken to the medical facility after becoming unconscious on his return from the door-to-door survey for the census. The headmistress of the school, Mamata Das, said Rajkapur Hembram complained of discomfort after returning from census work and was admitted to the hospital, where he died. He was assigned three villages for census enumeration. His family members alleged that he had earlier informed colleagues about pressure from authorities to continue census duties despite his illness.

In another incident, Anurag Ekka, a teacher at Jarada Government High School under Gurundia block in Sundargarh district, fell ill during Census duty on Saturday and died the same day. He was first taken to the Gurundia community health centre and later shifted to the district headquarters hospital after his condition worsened.

Community Impact

The deaths have sent shockwaves through the community, with officials at the Special Relief Commissioner’s office saying that the district collectors concerned were looking into the matter. The exact cause of their deaths will be known after receiving reports from district authorities. The state government has already issued a Standard Operating Procedure for Census officials working during hot and humid conditions, prohibiting them from getting exposed to sunlight from 11 am to 3 pm due to the rising temperature.

The incidents highlight the risks faced by census officials and enumerators, particularly during extreme weather conditions. The state government’s measures to mitigate the risks, including the provision of Oral Rehydration Solution, are seen as a step in the right direction.

What Happens Next

The district collectors will investigate the deaths and submit their reports to the Special Relief Commissioner’s office. The state government will likely review its Standard Operating Procedure for census officials to prevent such incidents in the future.