371 sunstroke deaths during summer in AP

As many as 371 people died due to sunstroke during this summer in (new) Andhra Pradesh as severe heat conditions prevailed in the state.
The highest number of 127 sunstroke deaths were reported in Vizianagaram district, followed by Prakasam (69), East Godavari (47), Krishna (36), Srikakulam and Guntur (30 each), an 'Action Taken Report on Heat Wave Conditions in 2014' (as on June 19) from the Revenue Disaster Management Department said here today.
Severe heat conditions prevailed in Andhra Pradesh during this summer with maximum temperature levels hovering over 40 degrees Celsius and the mercury levels came down considerably during the last few days with the onset of monsoon.

Recalling that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced payment of ex-gratia of Rs one lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF), the Report said the district Collectors have been asked to process proposals for payment of Rs 50,000 under the 'Apathbandhu' scheme to the victims' families.
An amount of Rs 1.64 crores has been released to the district Collectors from the CMRF, it said.
The government had issued instructions to all the Collectors and other departments like medical and health, agriculture and irrigation regarding preparedness during the summer season to mitigate sunstroke deaths and the same were reiterated subsequently, the report said.

A list of Dos and Don'ts were given wide publicity through electronic media during May and June to prevent sunstrokes.

The district Collectors are ensuring availability of ORS, glucose and potassium chloride in the hospitals, it said.
In its weather observations, the release said the south west monsoon has further advanced into remaining parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and most parts of Telangana.
Conditions are favourable for further advancement of southwest monsoon into remaining parts of Telangana during next 48 hours, it said, adding that heat wave conditions prevailed over some parts in the districts of Krishna and Guntur in Coastal Andhra.