16 Dead In Telangana Heatwave, Government Announces Rs 4 Lakh Ex Gratia
Telangana heatwave claims 16 lives as temperatures exceed 45°C.
A severe heatwave sweeping across Telangana has claimed at least 16 lives so far, with authorities confirming fatalities across seven districts as temperatures in several northern regions of the state crossed 45 degrees Celsius. The state government on Sunday announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of each deceased victim, as officials warned that extreme weather conditions are expected to intensify further in the coming days.
The state government has attributed the deaths to prolonged exposure to extreme heat conditions, with districts including Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Jogulamba Gadwal, Rangareddy, and Suryapet reporting fatalities. Officials stated that four deaths were recorded in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, while three each were reported in Warangal, Karimnagar, and Nizamabad districts. The remaining deaths were reported from other affected regions across the state.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy reviewed the situation and directed district administrations to remain on high alert. He instructed officials to take immediate preventive measures to avoid further casualties and ensure public safety. He also urged district collectors to identify high-risk mandals and villages where temperatures are peaking and issue timely warnings to residents.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the heatwave is likely to intensify over the next few days, prompting an orange alert in multiple districts including Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, Nalgonda, and Suryapet, among others. A yellow alert has also been issued for several additional districts, including Hyderabad and surrounding areas. Officials have advised citizens to avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours and to stay hydrated amid rising temperatures.
According to the Telangana Development Planning Society, 18 out of 33 districts recorded temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius or higher, with Sirpur in Kumaram Bheem Asifabad district emerging as the hottest location at 46.5 degrees Celsius. Several other regions, including parts of Karimnagar, Nizamabad, and Peddapalli, also recorded temperatures above 46 degrees, reflecting the severity of the ongoing heatwave across the state.
Meteorological officials have also warned of isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds in some districts, including Hyderabad and surrounding regions. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious as extreme heat conditions continue to pose a serious health risk, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. The state administration has said it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating relief measures across affected districts.
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