NewsFlash Daily™
28 April 
A 49-year-old labourer collapsed while working under the MGNREGA scheme in Raichur amid nearly 40°C heat. Family members allege lack of drinking water, shade and basic safety measures at the worksite
Raichur: In a shocking incident from Karnataka’s Raichur district, a worker engaged under the MGNREGA job guarantee scheme reportedly collapsed and died while working under extreme summer heat, triggering serious allegations of negligence against local authorities.
The deceased has been identified as Husenappa Madivala (49), a resident associated with the Yapaladinni village area. He was working at a dried-up lake restoration site on the outskirts of the village when he suddenly fell unconscious during duty hours.
According to local sources, co-workers and villagers immediately rushed him to the Raichur RIMS Hospital, but he reportedly died on the way.
Heatstroke Suspected as Temperature Nears 40°C
The tragedy occurred as temperatures in the region hovered around 40 degrees Celsius, raising strong suspicion that the labourer may have suffered heat-related complications while working in the open sun.
Family members and villagers alleged that Husenappa became a victim of severe heat exposure and dehydration, blaming officials for forcing labourers to work in dangerous weather conditions without minimum protections.
“Workers were made to labour under blazing heat without water, shade or ORS support. This death could have been prevented,” locals alleged.
Medical experts, however, stated that confirming heatstroke as the exact cause of death requires specific clinical evidence. Doctors from RIMS said that conventional post-mortem procedures may not always conclusively establish heatstroke.
They further noted that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can reduce body fluids, lower blood pressure, and lead to sudden collapse or death.
Negligence Charges Against Panchayat Officials
The victim’s family has accused the Yapaladinni Gram Panchayat and the concerned PDO (Panchayat Development Officer) of gross negligence.
They alleged that no essential facilities were arranged at the worksite like Drinking water, Shade for rest, ORS packets, Emergency medical support, Heat safety precautions.
Relatives and villagers have now demanded immediate compensation for the bereaved family and strict action against responsible officials.
No Senior Officials Visited Family Yet, Locals Claim
Adding to public anger, residents claimed that despite the death of a labourer during government scheme work, no taluk or district-level officer had visited or contacted the victim’s family till late evening.
