So far today 130 persons lost their lives due to heat waves in the State. Yesterday a record death of 293 was reported in the State due to heat waves. Khammam district especially coal belt area went to a record high of 50C because of which the management of Singareni Collieries made changes in the working hours.
Today reports of sunstroke deaths reached from all districts. 18 in Guntur, East Godavari -13, Prakasam-13, Krishna-10, Karimnagar-9, Nalgonda-8, Vizianagaram-6, Visakhapatnam-9, Mahaboobnagar-6, Nizamabad-4, Anantapuram-4, Khammam-4, Medak-5, Chittore-3, Adilabad-3, Srikakulam-3, Hyderabad-3, Warangal-3, Kadapa-2, West Godavari-2, Kurnool-1 and Kurnol-1.
General public are requested to take precautionary measures if they cannot avoid going out in the sun like using caps, umbrellas etc. and to drink water frequently. It is hell for the daily workers who have to work to make both ends meet but it is equivalent to suicide to work in the open during the day. Either they have to starve or face scorch. Small children and elderly people are facing the wrath of the Sun.
Revenue minister Raghuveera Reddy announced compensation of Rs.50000/- for the kin of the deceased due to heat under Apathbandhu Scheme.
(AW-SriJa)
