In Jabalpur, during a severe heatwave in central India, more than 31 National Cadet Corps trainees suffered from heatstroke and dehydration at a training camp at the Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing campus. The incident caused panic at the camp, leading to the immediate transfer of affected cadets to the District Hospital for urgent medical attention.
The cadets started experiencing symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme weakness around 8 p.m on Thursday. Dr. Naveen Kothari, the CMHO, mentioned that 31 children, including 15 boys and 16 girls, were brought to the hospital. While most are stable and responding well to treatment, a few cadets remain in serious condition, with some admitted to the intensive care unit.
Health experts attribute the mass illness to the scorching heatwave conditions and the physical exertion of training conducted outdoors. The ongoing heatwave in Madhya Pradesh, with temperatures exceeding 47 degrees Celsius in some areas, has raised concerns about conducting intensive outdoor training programs during such extreme weather.
A team of doctors is closely monitoring the young trainees, and families of the affected cadets have been updated on their condition. NCC officials and representatives from the District Health Department are providing support at the facility. Authorities are reviewing safety protocols for the remaining camp days to ensure the well-being of all cadets.
