Heat waves claim 35 lives in Telangana, alert issued

Heat waves have claimed 35 lives in Telangana so far, prompting the state government to issue alerts in all districts to take precautionary measures to minimise the impact of the prevailing weather conditions.

The maximum temperature is likely to hover above 40 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours in many parts of the state, an official said on Wednesday.

“We have issued heat wave alerts to all district collectors and officials concerned. People are advised not to venture out during afternoon when the temperature is at peak," Principal Secretary (Revenue) B R Meena told PTI.

"We have also asked the rural water department to be ready with sufficient water storage facilities. The toll so far reported is 35," he said.

In an earlier release issued over a week ago, the state government had said as many as 66 lives were lost to heat waves in the state. However, Meena denied the figure. A directive has been issued to all departments concerned saying construction labourers and other related workers are not engaged in work during the peak heat phase, he said.

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that heatwave conditions are likely to prevail at isolated places in the state on Thursday.

The highest maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius was recorded at Nalgonda and Ramagundam in the state on Tuesday.

In Odisha, almost 24 people have lost their lives due to sunstroke in the region.

On Tuesday, the day temperature hovered over 40 degrees Celsius at 19 places in the State.

Titilagarh town recorded the highest temperature with 44.5 degree Celsius while comparing to Monday's temperature, on Tuesday the mercury level in the State capital decreased by almost 3 degree Celsius to settle at 42.9 degree.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced closure of grievance cells at the offices of the chief minister, district collectors and superintendents of police in view of the intense heat wave.

Inmage:

The highest maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius was recorded at Nalgonda and Ramagundam in Telangana on Tuesday. Photograph: SnapsIndia