KOPPAL: The heatwave on Friday night appears to have claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy at Saswihal village under Jummalapur Gram Panchayat in Kushtagi taluk of Koppal district.
After having midday meal in the school on Friday, Doddabasappa went for an afternoon nap in his tin-roofed house and complained of excess heat.
He was taken to the primary health centre at Tavaragera village in the night and the doctors advised for taking him to Kushtagi taluk hospital. However, he breathed his last reportedly on his way to Kushtagi due to dehydration, said sources.Officials, including village accountant and revenue inspector, visited the house of Govindappa on Saturday.
District Health officer Ramakrishna told Express that people have been appealed to follow the guidelines issued by the Health Department in order to beat the heat. The temperature, which has not dropped below 40 degree Celsius since April 1, is set to rise further in the coming days due to severe drought, he added.
‘Lung infection could have caused death’
Apart from heatwave and dehydration, Doddabasappa reportedly had lung infection. The boy’s parents might have taken him for herbal treatment in the past as there are marks of the same on his hand, Dr Siddaramesh, general duty medical officer of Community Health Centre at Tavaragera, told Express.
The boy was brought to the community health centre around 11.15 pm on Friday and due to serious respiratory problem, he was referred to Kushtagi taluk hospital, Dr Siddaramesh said.
Unfortunately, the boy died on his way to Kushtagi. Doddabasappa was sharp in learning at the Government Primary School at Saswihal. “We have lost our only son,” said the boy’s father Govindappa Gaddad, who is a farmer.