Sundargarh: A school teacher reportedly lost his life due to heatstroke while on census duty amid intense heatwave conditions in Odisha's Sundargarh district.

The deceased has been identified as Anurag Ekka, an assistant teacher at Jarada High School under Gurundia block. According to reports, he was engaged in door-to-door census work in Jarada village when he suddenly collapsed.

Locals immediately rushed him to the Sundargarh District Headquarters Hospital in a critical condition. However, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Though heatstroke is suspected to be the cause of death, no official medical confirmation has been released yet.

Eka had been carrying out census duties in the village since the 17th of this month. The incident has raised serious concerns over the safety of field workers operating in extreme weather conditions.

In view of the ongoing heatwave across Odisha, the state government has already issued guidelines directing enumerators to avoid fieldwork during peak heat hours between 11 AM and 3 PM.