NEW DELHI: In Maharashtra, the heat stroke has claimed 25 lives this year, the highest in six years. Over 374 cases of heat stroke were recorded to the health department in March and April, according to data from the health department.

The north and central Maharastra have been reeling under temperatures ranging over 40-46 degrees. The highest number of deaths from heat stroke, Vidarbha (15), followed by six in Marathwada and four in Jalgaon in north Maharashtra, as per the data.

It further, Nagpur has recorded 11 deaths, Akola has reported three, and Amravati has reported one. Jalna has reported two deaths in Marathwada, while Aurangabad, Hingoli, Osmanabad, and Parbhani have each reported one death. Nagpur division has reported the highest-295 heat stroke cases.

Due to power cuts exacerbate heat agony, Maharastra has witnessed a record 25 deaths to heat stroke in the first four months of this year.

As per the report, the public health department has prepared a heat plan in February, said state’s surveillance officer, Dr Pradeep Awate. The department also receives daily temperature updates from IMD.

Dr Awate said, Several parts of the India are encountering one of the hottest summers in decades. We have seen temperatures that are the highest in 100 years. These 25 are suspected deaths through of which six have been confirmed, he added.