ore than hundred deaths have reportedly taken place this summer in current phase of heat wave in Telangana.
Meanwhile, the State’s Disaster Response Management on Monday put the official death toll due to summer heat at 19. Mahabubnagar has seen more deaths than other districts.
The number increased from nine last Wednesday after the deaths reported last week were verified by a three-member committee in every mandal. Nine deaths in Mahabubnagar, seven in Adilabad, and one in Ranga Reddy, have been attributed by the State to heat stroke.
“Every mandal has a three-member committee which ascertains if a reported death is indeed due to heat. Only such deaths are being counted by the government,” a disaster management official said.
The India Meteorological Department in Hyderabad has been issuing heat wave warnings for all districts of the State during the last week.
Maximum temperature in most parts of the State has been exceeding normal by at least three degrees consistently over the last week, with at least three districts witnessing heat wave over the last three days. Hyderabad witnessed record high temperatures for April when the temperature touched 43 degree Celsius, the highest in four decades.
Heat wave warning was issued for Saturday for all districts of the State. IMD also warned of thunderstorm with hail across Telangana.
Meanwhile, a sun-stroke death was reported at Seripally in Shankarampet, a mandal of Medak district on Monday. The victim was identified as S. Mallesham, 46.
Legal Correspondent adds: A Division Bench of Hyderabad High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Dilip.B. Bhosale and Justice P. Naveen Rao on Monday closed the Public Interest Litigation filed regarding heat wave deaths taking on record the statements made by the AP and Telangana governments that they were taking all precautions.
Srisailam, hailing from Ranga Reddy district filed the case seeking direction to the governments to take precautionary steps to prevent deaths due to heat wave.
