Telangana on High Alert as Heat Wave claims 16 lives in state
Hyderabad, May 23 (TNT): The Telangana government on Saturday sounded a statewide alert amid intensifying heatwave conditions, with 16 heatstroke deaths reported across seven districts in the state so far.
According to the latest report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), severe heatwave conditions are expected to continue till May 26 in Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
Collectors of these districts have been advised to remain on high alert and take special precautionary measures.
Chairing an emergency review meeting on district-wise heatwave conditions with senior officials at the Secretariat, State Revenue, Housing and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy directed officials to remain on constant alert and take immediate measures to safeguard public lives.
The Minister also instructed the administrative machinery to work on a war footing to prevent further loss of life.
According to reports submitted by district collectors, four deaths were reported from Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, three each in Warangal Urban, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts, and one each in Jogulamba Gadwal, Ranga Reddy and Suryapet districts, an official release said here.
The Minister said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had directed officials to provide an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh each to the families of those who died due to heatstroke and ensure speedy disbursal of compensation.
Ponguleti aid temperatures had reached abnormal levels and the severe El Niño effect had worsened heatwave conditions across the state.
He stressed that there should be no negligence in protecting human lives and instructed officials to identify the worst-affected mandals and villages and issue advance alerts to residents.
He directed authorities to intensify public awareness campaigns through the media, social media and village-level announcements.
Officials were also instructed to ensure the availability of cool drinking water, buttermilk and ORS packets at bus stands, markets, major roads, labour-intensive work sites and other crowded public areas.
The Minister appealed to elderly persons, pregnant women, children and people suffering from illnesses to avoid venturing outdoors between 11 am and 4 pm unless absolutely necessary.
He also ordered special precautions for agricultural labourers, construction workers and roadside workers exposed to extreme heat.
District collectors were asked to personally monitor the situation and ensure officials from mandal to village level remained active in the field.
Emergency medical services were also directed to stay prepared to provide immediate treatment in cases of heatstroke symptoms.
Highlighting the need to protect animals and birds during the extreme weather, the Minister instructed officials to arrange water troughs and clay pots in villages and towns.
TNT TS
