Deadly summer: Killer ‘heatstroke’ leaves 11 dead in Andhra, Telangana

Officials fear the death toll in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana due to heatstroke could be much higher.

Hyderabad, April 8: This year, summer is going to be really tough. At the beginning of summer, reports say more than 11 people have died due to heatstroke and other health-related issues triggered by abnormal rise in temperatures in two southern states--Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In March, more than five people reportedly died due to heatstroke in Maharashtra.

According to officials, six people died in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh alone and five in various districts of Telangana, reports News18. Officials fear the number of deaths could be much higher as they are still collecting figures from across these two states.

Since March, both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are experiencing severe rise in temperature. According to the India Meteorological Department, the temperatures in both these states are currently hovering at around 42 degrees Celsius.

In Telangana, both Adilabad and Mahabubnagar recorded highest temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. In Andhra Pradesh highest temperature was reported in Kurnool at 42.8 degrees Celsius and Anantapur at 41.5 degrees Celsius.

According to the Met department, in the coming days temperature is likely to increase by three to four degrees in both these states, thus making life further miserable for the residents. Although, Hyderabad experienced rains recently, it did not help much.

The health officials have issued advisories to the people of these two states. Residents have been asked to avoid sun, especially during peak hours from 10 am-4pm. People have been asked to keep themselves hydrated and report to hospitals immediately in case someone is feeling unwell.

Those who venture outside have been asked to carry umbrella and cover their heads with clothes to beat the heat. More than 1,500 and 500 people died in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana respectively in 2015.

OneIndia News