Andhra heat wave toll rises to 524

The death toll in the heat wave that continues to grip Andhra Pradesh mounted to 524, officials said Sunday.

The commissioner disaster management, who had Saturday put the toll at 294 since April 1, revised it to 524.

The highest maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius was recorded Sunday at Tuni and Visakhpatnam. Kakinada and Vijayawada recorded 46 degrees Celsius. The mercury touched 45 degress Celsius in Bapatla, Machilipatnam, Rentachintala, Hanamkonda and Ramagundam.

According to a statement released by the commissioner, Guntur district bore the brunt with 95 deaths. Prakasam district accounted for 75 deaths, East Godavari 60, Nalgonda 47, Adilabad and Karimnagar 43 each, Khammam 26, Warangal 20, West Godavari and Nizamabad district 16 each.

India Meteorological Department has warned that severe heat wave conditions would prevail in coastal Andhra and heat wave conditions in parts of Telangana during the next 48 hours.

The government has already announced a compensation of Rs.50,000 each to the kin of each of those who have died of sun-stroke.