Telangana in grip of heatwave, toll rises to 219

Hyderabad, May 3: Heatwave conditions in some parts of Telangana continued to take toll as the number of deaths rose to 219 during the present summer season, according to the State Disaster Management department.

"These 219 deaths were confirmed by the three-member committee. Nalgonda tops the list with 76 deaths followed by Mahbubnagar with 35," an official in the Disaster Management control room said. The last count of 178 was reported yesterday.

A bulletin from the India Meteorological Department said heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in some parts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Khammam districts.

"Thunderstorm with squall/hail (is) likely (to occur) at a few places over Telangana during next 48 hours (today and tomorrow)," it said. Telangana has been witnessing severe heatwave during this summer season.

The state government had earlier issued heatwave alerts to all the districts, to take precautionary measures. The government had also declared summer holidays for schools from April 16, which were actually scheduled from April 24, in view of the scorching sun.

The government had also announced Rs 50,000 ex-gratia to kin of each of the deceased.

PTI