Heat wave claims 49 lives in Telangana

Heat wave in Telangana has so far claimed 49 lives and there seems no respite from soaring mercury as the hot weather is likely to prevail at few places in the state for at least two days, a Disaster Management department official said today. "Till yesterday, we have reports that 49 persons died due to heat wave in the state (during this summer season)," the official told PTI. Mahabubnagar district topped the chart of heat-related deaths at 39. Temperature has been hovering above 40 degrees Celsius in most parts of the state since last fortnight prompting the government to issue a heat wave alert in all districts. The government had announced Rs 50,000 as ex-gratia to the kin of those who died due to sun stroke. According to a bulletin issued by India Meteorological Department today, heat wave conditions are likely to prevail at a few places in Telangana today and tomorrow. "Appreciable rise in maximum temperatures is recorded at one or two places over Telangana. They were markedly above normal at one or two places over Telangana," it stated. The highest maximum temperature of 45 deg Celsius was recorded at Bhadrachalam, Khammam, Nalgonda and Nizamabad. The Met report further said that rains occurred at one or two places in the state. In view of the weather conditions, the government had advanced summer holidays for schools to April 16 from scheduled date of April 24. The government has also launched a web portal for heat wave predictions and necessary resources available at respective places in case of emergency. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister (in charge of Revenue) Mahmood Ali had earlier said that Medical and Health department has advised to keep sufficient stocks of ORS and IV fluids in all hospitals to cater to patients in the event of sun strokes.