Heat wave in Andhra Pradesh, toll touches 46

The unprecedented heat wave, sweeping across Andhra Pradesh, including the state capital, claimed 28 lives on Friday, taking the toll to 46 in the past three days, revenue officials said.

The unprecedented heat wave, sweeping across Andhra Pradesh, including the state capital, claimed 28 lives on Friday, taking the toll to 46 in the past three days, revenue officials said.

HT Image

Almost the entire state is in the grip of a heat wave with the temperatures hovering between 45-48 degrees Celsius, which is five to six degrees above the normal for this time of the year. The coal mining town of Ramagundam touched 49 degrees.

In Hyderabad, the mercury was 44 degrees Celsius, having crossed 45 degrees on Thursday. The Met Office has warned that the temperature in most parts of the state would remain between 45 to 47 degrees Celsius till the monsoon sets in.

In Hyderabad, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah reviewed the situation with top officials of health and disaster management departments. He asked the health department to monitor the situation constantly and direct the medical officers to stay at their headquarters and be available round the clock.