Heat wave toll rises; 87 more die in TS, AP

Heat wave toll rises; 87 more die in TS, AP
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Highlights

The heat wave continued to scorch both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, claiming 87 more lives on Wednesday, taking the toll to over 1,200. There was no respite from the blistering heat as both the States recorded temperatures three to seven degrees Celsius higher than the average. While 37 people died in Telangana, 50 people succumbed to sunstroke in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday.

While 37 people died in Telangana, 50 people succumbed to sunstroke in AP on Wednesday, taking the total toll to 1,200

Hyderabad: The heat wave continued to scorch both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, claiming 87 more lives on Wednesday, taking the toll to over 1,200. There was no respite from the blistering heat as both the States recorded temperatures three to seven degrees Celsius higher than the average. While 37 people died in Telangana, 50 people succumbed to sunstroke in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday.


In Telangana, Nalgonda district was the worst hit with 73 deaths. Khammam district accounted for 60 deaths, Mahabubnagar 32, Medak 26, Karimnagar and Adilabad 22 each, Warangal 9, Nizamabad 8 and Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy seven each. Officials in the two States had confirmed 1,133 deaths till Tuesday night. While Andhra Pradesh accounted for 867 deaths, 266 people died in Telangana. Almost all the deaths were reported during the past one week.

A woman gulping down water in the hot sun in Hyderabad on Wednesday as the mercury soared.

Though Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister N Chinna Rajappa had confirmed 551 deaths on Tuesday, the toll was revised later based on the reports received from the districts. Disaster management department officials said they were revising the figures after receiving confirmation from field-level officials about the deaths. Though the temperatures dropped in parts of Telangana and also in north coastal Andhra on Wednesday, both the States continued to reel under the searing heat.


The Hyderabad Meteorological Centre has warned that severe heat wave conditions might continue for another 48 hours. The heat wave, attributed to dry winds from the north-westerly direction, may abate after two days. The highest temperature of 47 degrees Celsius was recorded at Jangamaheswarapuram in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday.


Vijayawada, Bapatla and Machilipatnam sizzled at 46 degrees. The mercury continued to be above 42 degrees in most parts of south coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. In Telangana, Nalgonda and Khammam were the hottest places on Wednesday at 46 degrees Celsius each. Poor people, especially the homeless, construction workers, rickshaw pullers and street vendors were the worst hit by the heat wave.

According to officials, the majority of the victims were the elderly and children. The Andhra Pradesh government has already announced compensation of Rs1 lakh each for the families of the victims.Out of 867 deaths confirmed by officials in Andhra Pradesh till Tuesday night, Prakasam district accounted for 202. Guntur (130), Visakhapatnam (112) and East Godavari (107) also bore the brunt of the heat wave.Vijayanagaram district accounted for 78 deaths, Nellore 74, Srikakulam 40, Chittoor 29, Kadapa 22, Kurnool 17 and Anantapur 14.

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