Tamil Nadu: Alcohol-related deaths, Kanchenjunga Express disaster and more: The week in 5 charts

(1) Number of deaths due to alcohol abuse rises to 59 in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu

At least 59 people died in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor. While earlier years saw hundreds of deaths, the number has remained lower recently. This year’s death toll is the state’s highest in 12 years. From 2012 to 2019, the state did not record any deaths due to illicit liquor consumption. However, this trend seems to be reversing in recent years. Last year, around 22 people died in north Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor.

However, compared to other states, the number of deaths between 2018 and 2022 is still less in Tamil Nadu. For example, Madhya Pradesh recorded over 900 deaths during the same period. Punjab and Karnataka recorded over 700.

Victims of counterfeit alcohol are usually from the poorer sections of society, such as daily wage workers. The foreign branded alcohol made in India and sold by government liquor dealers are more expensive than the illicitly sold liquor. After the backbreaking work, liquor is an affordable way for many to ease their pain.

Also read:Why methanol poisoning is fatal and how to treat it | Explained

Faced with opposition demands that he resign on moral grounds, Chief Minister MK Stalin set up a one-man committee headed by Justice B. Gokuldas, a former judge of the Madras High Court, to conduct a thorough investigation into the Kallakurichi deaths. The committee was directed to submit its report to the government within three months.

Four people were arrested, including the main defendant, who was responsible for selling the beer, a black marketeer, his wife and his brother.

Editorial staff:Killer Moonshine: On the liquor tragedy in Kallakurichi

(2) At least 10 people are killed in a train accident on the Kanchanjunga Express

At least 10 people were killed when a goods train crashed into the stationary Kanchanjunga Express bound for Sealdah in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Monday, June 17. The collision occurred near Rangapani railway station, 30 km from New Jalpaiguri railway station, and four rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express derailed at 8.55 am due to the impact of the goods train’s locomotive, the official said.

The initial investigation into the accident revealed that there was negligence on the part of the New Jalpaiguri Rail Division’s operations department and the crew of the goods train that rammed the passenger train. While five officials blamed the goods train for the accident, one issued a dissenting statement, pointing out that the New Jalpaiguri Rail Division’s operations department had not taken adequate measures to secure the stretch between Ranipatra (RNI) and Chattar Hat Junction (CAT).

The anti-collision device Kavach has not been installed on this route. According to the railway administration, the Kavach system is operational only on 1,500 km. The entire railway network is almost 68,000 km long. However, the implementation of Kavach is slow due to a lack of suppliers.

(3) Heatwave in Delhi: 17 people die within 24 hours of heat stress

Delhi recorded 17 deaths in 24 hours on June 20 amid the ongoing heatwaves in the state. The state is reeling from rising maximum and minimum temperatures and a water crisis. The lack of rainfall in June in most parts of the state has only added to the capital’s woes. In this month alone, daytime temperatures exceeded 40°C. Nine days of heatwaves were recorded.

In addition to high maximum temperatures, there was also a lack of rainfall. According to the IMD, the period from March to June was the driest in 14 years. In June alone, eight of Delhi’s nine districts recorded too little rainfall. Only northwest Delhi recorded a small excess of 28 percent above normal.

Night temperatures have also increased. On June 19, the lowest temperature was 35.2°C. According to IMD data, this was the highest minimum temperature in 55 years.

The rise in temperatures has resulted in record peak electricity demand. The highest electricity demand ever reached in June, reaching 8,656 MW.

Editorial staff:A hot crisis: On heat waves in northern India

(4) Israel attacks al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza

At least 42 people were killed when Israel attacked districts of Gaza City in the north of the Palestinian enclave on June 22, including 24 dead in the al-Shati refugee camp. By June 19, the war’s casualty toll exceeded 37,000.

A permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and a long-term ceasefire plan are not in sight. The ceasefire plan that Biden proposed in May remains in limbo. The full withdrawal of Israeli troops, the second phase of the plan, US-Israeli disagreements over Palestinian statehood, and Netanyahu’s precarious balance between popular frustration and his allies’ war drive have all proved to be obstacles.

Also read:Why does Israel not agree with the ceasefire plan for Gaza accepted by Hamas? | In the Focus podcast

(5) Study: Older people are sick and do not have sufficient income

A study by HelpAge India on a cross-section of elderly people across the country found that only 15% of them had a source of income. Only 31% of them had health insurance. The non-governmental organization conducted a survey of 5,169 elderly people in 10 states and 20 cities. The organization selected one Category 1 and one Category 2 city in each state. It also surveyed 1,333 caregivers aged 18-49 years who provide general, social and emotional care to these elderly respondents.

One in three respondents – regardless of the city in which they live – said they had no income in the past year. In the 60- to 69-year-old age group, 31 percent, in the 71- to 79-year-old age group, 36 percent, and in the 80-year-old age group, 37 percent said they had no income in the past year.

Nearly 80% of all the elderly people surveyed had at least one non-communicable disease, but only 31% reported having access to health insurance. The main reasons for this were lack of awareness (32%), affordability (24%) and lack of need (12%). An outpatient visit costs an elderly person ₹1,973 on average. The study found that there was a difference in the amount spent: ₹2,110 for male and ₹1,913 for female respondents.