Every year, many people in Thailand, young and old, fall victim to heatstroke. On average, as many as 32 people die of heatstroke each year.

The risk is particularly high during the peak summer months, when the mercury often soars above 40 degrees Celsius.

From March 1 to April 17 last year, 21 people succumbed to heatstroke. Of them, 13 died in public areas and two in vehicles.

Common symptoms of heatstroke are fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, anxiety, headache, low-blood pressure, collapse and anhidrosis. Without timely help, heatstroke can prove fatal.

On Tuesday, a 56-year-old woman collapsed while queuing at a temple under the scorching sun in Udon Thani province.

“Although she was rushed to hospital, she succumbed,” Dong Yen Police Station’s deputy superintendent, Pol Lt-Colonel Chamlong Thabseekaeo, said.

An investigation revealed that the woman had travelled from Chaiyaphum province and waited in a queue for a long time until she felt sick and collapsed.

On the same day, a 77-year-old cyclist collapsed during his normal cycling routine in Nakhon Phanom province. Police said although he too was rushed to a nearby hospital, he passed away.

“We believe his death is related to heatstroke,” Pol Captain Chularat Apirom, a deputy inspector at the Muang Nakhon Phanom Police Station, said. She said relatives had already taken his body away for funeral services and they did not suspect any foul play.

The Disease Control Department has warned people to avoid going outdoors when the weather is very hot. People who need to carry out activities under the sun are advised to wear a hat or use an umbrella and also drink lots of water.

It is predicted that temperatures will soar as high as 43 degrees Celsius over the next seven |weeks.

The ministry’s permanent se-cretary, Dr Sopon Mekthon, recommended that people should drink two litres of water a day during summer to lower the risk of heatstroke.

Heatstroke poses a particular risk to children under five years of age, the elderly, people with chronic diseases, obese people, people who lack adequate rest and heavy drinkers.