(Image source from: Punishment Heat Waves in Telugu States will last for two more days})
Punishment heat waves that took 1,700 lives in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are believed to last for two more days, as per the officials. 100 deceased in Telanagana in the last 24 hours.
"The heat wave warning has been extended for two more days," YK Reddy, who heads the Met department in Hyderabad, said to media.
He added that the heat wave in Telangana entered its eighth day today, which is double than its usual duration. Also the soaring temperatures are unprecedented in recent history.
Most of the dead are day waged laborers who victimized sunstroke or dehydration.
A few rain drops here and there today brought some relief to Northern parts of Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region. The south coastal belt of the state remains sweltering.
Speaking on this, Telangana's Panchayat Raj minister KT R (Kalvagunta Taraka Rama Rao) told media that rather than asking the people to remain indoors, all the precautionary measurements have been taken to eradicate the death toll like providing adequate drinking water at public places and ensuring hospitals are well-equipped with enough staff.
Raju says his friend travelled with him from Nalgonda to sell fruit on a major highway leading to Hyderabad. "He fell ill because of the heat and died. Many people stopped coming after that, but I have no choice,'' he said.
- Manohar. M
