Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – Dozens of polling personnel faced a tragic fate on the last day of voting in India as scorching temperatures swept across the country. A total of 33 individuals succumbed to heatstroke in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, with the casualties including security guards and sanitation staff, according to Navdeep Rinwa, the chief electoral officer for the region.
Rinwa announced on Sunday that the families of the deceased would receive a compensation of 1.5 million rupees [$18,000]. The intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in many areas, has led to multiple deaths across the country, but the toll of dozens dying in one day stands out as an especially grim outcome.
In addition to the polling personnel fatalities, another incident was reported in which a man waiting in line to vote in Ballia city collapsed and passed away upon reaching a health facility. The India Meteorological Department confirmed that temperatures soared, with Jhansi hitting 46.9 degrees Celsius and Ballia experiencing a heat index of 61 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
The Hindustan Times reported a total of 58 deaths due to heat exposure in various parts of India on Saturday, with additional casualties in Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. In Bihar, at least 10 election-related deaths occurred, while Odisha saw nine fatalities due to the heat. Experts point out that extreme heat exposure can lead to dehydration, thickening of blood, and organ failures.
As the nation grapples with rising temperatures and heat-related fatalities, exit polls on Saturday evening projected Prime Minister Narendra Modi securing a rare third consecutive term in office. The massive seven-phase elections, spanning six weeks and concluding on Saturday, saw nearly a billion Indians registered to vote. Tuesday will mark the counting of votes, with the final results expected by the end of the day.