DADU: Three children and an elderly man died and 12 other men fell unconscious because of heatstroke while 42 children reported at civil hospital with complaints of heatstroke and gastroenteritis on Monday as the mercury rose a notch further to 46 degrees Celsius from 43 degrees a day earlier.

Six-year-old Mehrunnissa, Murtza Panhwar and three-year-old Guddu Korai died during treatment at the civil hospital. They were suffering from gastroenteritis and had fallen unconscious after suffering from heatstroke. A 60-year-old beggar died in Wahi area of Kachho after he fainted due to heatstroke.

About 42 children were admitted to the civil hospital with complaints of heatstroke and gastroenteritis. The condition of Aziz, Sobia, Bakhtawar, Roshni, Shabana, Shahid Jatoi, Mohammad Jamali was stated to be serious while 12 more people fell unconscious in various parts of Dadu, Johi, Kachho, Sehwan, Mehar areas. They were admitted to different private and government hospitals.

All bazaars and roads wore a deserted look in the town during noon as most people preferred to remain indoors though their woes were exacerbated by long hours of loadshedding which affected supply of ice as well.

District health officer Dr Javid Dawachh advised people to remain indoors during scorching heat and consume cold drinks. He asked parents to take their children to the civil hospital if they suffered from heatstroke or contracted gastroenteritis due to extreme heat.