The heatwave seems to have taken the life of a 13-year-old boy from Saswihal village under Jummalapur Gram Panchayat in Koppal district of Karnataka.

On Friday, after having his mid-day meal at school, the boy, Doddabasappa Gaddad went to take a nap on the roof of his house. Doddabasappa complained of severe heat and uneasiness. His parents immediately took him to the primary health centre located in Tavaragera village, located in the same gram panchayat.

The doctors there, advised Doddabasappa’s parents to transfer him to the hospital in Kushtagi taluk. Arrangements to take him to Kustagi were made immediately and the boy breathed his last whilst in the ambulance.

According to the Koppal District Health Officer, Ramakrishna, although Doddabasappa had a lung infection, the cause of death was severe dehydration.

Officials, including village accountant and revenue inspector, visited the house of Govindappa, Doddabasappa’s father, on Saturday.

“The people of Koppal have been appealed to follow the guidelines issued by the Health Department in order to be safe from the heat. The temperature has gone below 40 degree Celsius since April 1 and is only increasing by the day due to the drought,” he said.

Doddabasappa’s parents had not taken him to the PHC when he had, in the past complained of having trouble breathing.

“His parents may have taken him to a local person who suggests taking herbs as cure. When he was brought to the PHC, he was severely dehydrated and was also finding it hard to breath during short intervals,” said Dr Siddaramesh, at the Tavaragera PHC.