Heat wave claims 200 lives in TS, AP

Hyderabad/Vijayawada: Heat wave in several parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has claimed over 200 lives so far during the past three days even as people continued to reel under intense heat wave conditions. As many as 93 persons died in Telangana and 107 deaths were reported from Andhra Pradesh due to severe heat wave conditions prevailed in the two states.

Some reports suggest that the toll has crossed 200 as temperatures soar above 47 degrees This is the first time that so many deaths have been reported from a heat wave in so less time in the two states. However, official reports stated lower figures about the heat wave deaths in the two states.

The India Meteorological Department has said the heat wave conditions will continue another two days and has upgraded the heat wave warning to "severe". Khammam in Telangana is the worst-hit, with temperatures reaching up to 47 degrees Celsius, say district reports. Other places such as Nalgonda, Nizamabad, and Karimnagar in Telangana are also facing the heat, while in Andhra Pradesh, Vizag, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram are among the worst-hit.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has asked people of the State to take precautionary steps following severe heat wave sweeping across the State posing danger to their lives. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he said that so far about 100 persons succumbed to the heat wave across the State.

He said directions were issued to the officials in different districts to set up drinking water kiosks, ensure distribution of buttermilk and to keep ready the ORS packets in primary health centres and other hospitals. Even the gram panchayats and municipal bodies had been asked to operate drinking water kiosks and ensure distribution of drinking water without any interruption.

Stating that the government was taking all necessary steps to ensure prevention of loss of life in the current summer, he urged the people to take all necessary precautions, including not venturing out between 10.30 am and 4 p m. He said the heat wave conditions may continue for another week or 10 days. Reports from district spoke of deaths due to sunstroke on Saturday. At least 28 persons died of sunstroke in the three districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Kadapa on Saturday.

Heat wave claimed 14 in Visakhapatnam district, eight lives in Srikakulam district, five in Vizianagaram and one in Kadapa district. The dead in Srikakulam district were identified as U Tavitamma (60) of Veeragattam mandal centre, M Mahalaxmi (70) of Kothakota village in Sarubujjili mandal, K Laxman Rao (27) of Kotabommali mandal centre, M Appalanarasamma (42) of LD Puram under Nandigama mandal, P Chinnammadu (56) of Panasapeta village and Ch Ramaiah (72) of Gollavalasa village under Santhakaviti mandal.

The deceased in Vizianagaram district were identified as G Ramulamma (62) of Pedamanapuram village under Dattirajeru mandal and A Paidamma (68) of Dharmavaram under S.Kota mandal. One more person who died of sunstroke was yet to be identified. Two other persons who died of sunstroke, were a rickshaw-puller B Aadayyya (77) of Bobbili town and a farmer in Garividi mandal.

A Nellore report said heat wave conditions continue to batter the district on Saturday too. Temperature touched 42° C in Nellore and adjoining places. The death toll has been rising as the heat wave continues unabated. Speaking to the media here on Saturday, District Joint Collector A Md. Imtiyaz said about 80 people reportedly died of a sunstroke in the district. He also appealed to the people to carry water bottles while going out to prevent dehydration, try to take shelter under shade as much as possible and also not to venture out during afternoon.

He said that with the coordination of staff members of Primary Health Centres in the district, special arrangements were made at many places to help those with symptoms of sunstroke. Additional Joint Collector RS Raj Kumar, DMHO Doctor Bharati Reddy and other officials were present.