Heat wave toll in Telangana rises to 234

The death toll due to heat wave in Telangana rose to 234 on Thursday with 15 more deaths being reported during last two days, officials said.

The worst-hit Nalgonda district accounts for highest number of deaths (76) followed by Mahabubnagar (40).

According to state disaster management department, fatalities were reported from all districts, barring Hyderabad.

The deaths were confirmed by three-member committees formed in every 'mandal' to verify the deaths.

The families of the victims are eligible for a compensation of Rs.50,000 from the government, which recently removed the age restriction. Earlier, families of victims above 65 years were not eligible for compensation.

Meanwhile, rains in many places in Telangana during last 24 hours brought down the temperatures, providing a much-needed respite to people from the heat.

The maximum temperature at some places fell below 40 degree Celsius, for the first time in over a month. The maximum temperature in Hyderabad on Thursday was 36.2 degrees, while Hanamkonda was the hottest place with maximum temperature of 42.1 degrees.

Many places in the state recorded one to five cm rainfall.

The met department has forecast light to moderate rains/thundershowers at few places in the state on Friday. It also warned thunderstorm accompanied with squalls/hail at isolated places.

The unseasonal rains are the result of upper air trough which runs from Vidarbha to extreme south peninsula across Telangana.

Few places in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh also received rains. The maximum temperature in south coastal Andhra was below 40 degrees.

However, heat wave conditions continued in parts of Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.

The highest temperature of 42.2 degrees was recorded in Anantapur.

--IANS

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