40 dead in Andhra, Telangana over two days due to heatstroke; heatwave kills hundreds of bats, cattle- The Week

More than 40 deaths due to heatstroke were reported on Saturday following the ongoing heatwave in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Most of the dead were elderly and labourers, local reports said.

The temperatures reached a scorching 46 degrees Celsius on Saturday. 30 of the 40 deaths were from Telangana alone, TV9 Telugu reported.

About 19 deaths were reported from the Warangal district. Six deaths each were reported from Nalgonda, Karimnagar and Khammam, two died in Adilabad, and one died in Nizamabad.

In Andhra Pradesh, 10 people have lost their lives due to heatstroke in various police stations in Vijayawada city.  Five of the deceased were daily wage workers and private employees, while the rest were identified as homeless.

Hundreds of bats living in a tree in the irrigation department office in Mahabubabad were also found dead due to the heat. The bats were buried by municipal staff who dug a pit using a JCB.

Cattle have also been dying due to the intense heat. A bull reportedly died in the Medak district due to heatstroke.

At the substation in Hanumakonda Balasamudram, the electricity staff covered the transformers with gunny bag rails and sprinkled water on them to prevent them from overheating.

In Kunchavelli and Kagaznagar in Asifabad district, temperatures were recorded at 46.4 degrees. The temperature stood at 46.4 degrees in Dharmapuri in Jagtial district, 46.3 degrees in Manuguru in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, 46.1 degrees in Khammam Rural, Vaira in the same district, and 46.1 degrees in Tandoor in Mancherial district.

The highest temperature of 46.3 degrees was recorded in Palligudem of Khammam Rural Mandal.

In many parts of Greater Hyderabad, temperatures stood at 42 degrees. Electricity demand in the area was recorded at a record 4,782 megawatts. At the substation in Hanumakonda Balasamudram, the electricity staff covered the transformers with gunny bag rails and sprinkled water on them to prevent them from overheating.

The Hyderabad Meteorological Centre warned that the maximum temperature for the next three days will be between 40-42 degree celcius everywehre except in the five to six districts.

On Sunday and Monday, the heatwave is likely to blow to the northern and eastern districts of Asifabad, Mancherial, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Bhupalpalli, Mulugu, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal and Hanumakonda districts.

Some parts may get moderate rains that could bring some relief on Sunday and Monday.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has warned officers to stay vigilant in view of the intense heat.

Meanwhile, the death count differs according to reports. District collectors said that they have sent reports that 16 people have died in a total of seven districts. Senior officials confirmed that four people have died in Bhupalpally district, three each in Warangal Urban, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts, and one each in Gadwal, Rangareddy and Suryapet districts due to heatstroke.

District collectors were instructed to provide compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those who died of heatstroke.

The Meteorological Department has issued a ‘heat wave’ and ‘red alert’ warning for various districts in Telangana for the next four days. Severe heat waves are likely to occur in Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Warangal, Hanumakonda and other districts on Sunday. On Monday, heat waves will continue in Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal, and Hanumakonda districts.