The heat wave-like situation in Balurghat and the South Dinajpur district as a whole in the past couple of weeks with the maximum temperature hovering around 40 degrees Celsius has prompted the authorities of Balurghat district hospital to open a dedicated unit to handle heat stroke patients.

“People can suffer heat stroke during daytime because of the scorching sunshine and heat. That is why a heat stroke management corner has been opened with beds and other equipment to treat such patients on an emergency basis,” said Krishnendu Bikash Bag, the hospital superintendent.

For the unit, the authorities have chosen an air-conditioned room and kept ice, cold water, additional fans, rectal thermometers and other equipment to treat patients.

“A prompt medical intervention is required for heat stroke patients. Their bodies have to be cooled at the earliest and this unit will help do it. There were instances when patients died because of delay in treatment,” said a doctor associated with the hospital.

India Meteorological Department officials said like most other parts of Bengal, the day temperature had crossed the normal range in most of the days in South Dinajpur.

“In the districts of sub-Himalayan Bengal, it has rained for a couple of days. But in South Dinajpur, there is a forecast of light to moderate rainfall in Balurghat only next week,” said a weather expert.