Sunstroke Suspected In Deaths Of Two Odisha Teachers On Census Work

Two school teachers engaged in Census-related fieldwork in Odisha died within two days in separate incidents , allegedly due to sunstroke , as temperatures in parts of the state climbed above 37°C , officials said on Monday.

The first incident was reported from Mayurbhanj district, where Rajkapur Hembram , a teacher at Baidyanath High School under Betnoti block, fell seriously ill after returning from a door-to-door census survey . According to family members, he became unconscious shortly after completing his assigned enumeration work across three villages. He was rushed to a hospital in Baripada, where he died on Sunday evening while undergoing treatment.

School authorities said Hembram had complained of discomfort following fieldwork. His family has alleged pressure to continue census duties despite illness .

In a separate incident in Sundargarh district, Anurag Ekka , a teacher at Jarada Government High School under Gurundia block, also fell ill while on census duty on Saturday. He was initially taken to a community health centre and later shifted to the district headquarters hospital as his condition worsened, but he did not survive.

Officials from the Special Relief Commissioner’s office said district collectors have been asked to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after receiving detailed reports.

These incidents mark the third reported death linked to census work in Odisha in recent days. Earlier, an enumerator in Sonepur district had allegedly died of a heart attack after returning from field duty.

The state government has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for census staff working in hot and humid conditions, including avoiding outdoor work between 11 am and 3 pm and ensuring proper hydration with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).