Heat wave leaves 43 dead in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, May 22

Soaring temperature and heat wave in several parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has claimed 43 lives, officials said today.

"According to the latest information we have, 21 people have been killed in Telangana until Thursday," Revenue Secretary BR Meena said.

Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has reported 22 deaths due to heat wave.

Telangana government has issued a ‘Do's and Don'ts’ list and has cautioned people against venturing out when day temperatures are soaring.

Parts of the districts of Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Karimnagar are among the worst hit, said Hyderabad Meteorological Department Director YK Reddy, adding that mercury is likely to soar even more until Sunday.

Khammam, where the temperature touched 47 degrees Celsius, is one of the hottest places in the area.    

Quoting District Collector H Arunkumar, a report from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh, where mercury level ranged from 42 to 46 degrees Celsius, said eight people have died due in East Godavari district in the last three days alone. Temperatures in the district range from 42 to 45 degrees Celsius.

Mercury soared to 42 degrees Celsius at Kakinada, 43 in Rajahmundry town and 44 in Tuni, according to local Meteorological Department officials.

Six people died of sunstroke in Srikakulam in the last three days, district revenue officials said.

Also, five deaths were reported from Vizianagaram during the last 48 hours, according to district officials.

According to Department officials, heat wave conditions would prevail for another two-three days in north coastal Andhra Pradesh. PTI