Heatwave toll crosses 500; hottest day in Delhi

More than 500 people have died at many places in the country due to the blistering heatwave prevailing across the country even as mercury maintained its upward trend setting the season's highest at places, including the national capital.
While 517 deaths were registered in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, four deaths were confirmed in Odisha and two others were reported in Rajasthan.
Scorching conditions prevailed in Delhi where the maximum temperature hit the highest this season at 45.5 degrees Celsius, five notches above the season's average, even as the Palam observatory registered 46.4 degrees Celsius.
The minimum was recorded at 28 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal as humidity in the air oscillated between 19 and 63 per cent, a Met official said.

In Telangana, the toll due to the heatwave stood at 215 from May 15 till today, Special Commissioner for Disaster Management, Sada Bhargavi said.
In Andhra Pradesh, the number stood at 302 till this evening over a week and data from different districts was still being compiled, Special Commissioner for Disaster Management, Tulsi Rani said.

Temperatures have been hovering around 45 degrees Celsius in both the states for the last few days.
The Met department said Ramagundam, Nalgonda and Khammam recorded 45 degrees Celsius during the past 24 hours.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed the state administration to open camps for providing drinking water and butter milk as a measure of protection against the severe heat conditions. He also appealed to the people to avoid sun from 11 AM to 4.30 PM, if possible.

Two persons, including a woman, died reportedly due to heatstroke in Bundi district which, along with other parts of Rajasthan, has been experiencing scorching heat for the past few days with the temperature rising over 44 degrees Celsius.
Police said a woman in her thirties was found dead on Barundan road and efforts were on to identify her and one Ramesh (28), a resident of Khodi village, was found dead in the jungles of Jajawar village of Nainwa police station area.
Jaisalmer recorded the highest maximum of 45.8 degrees Celsius in the state followed by Kota at 45.6 degrees Celsius.

Sriganganagar, Churu, Bikaner, Pilani and Jaipur recorded maximums of 45.2, 45, 44.8, 44.6 and 44.5 degrees Celsius respectively while other places recorded temperatures above 39 degrees Celsius, according to the MeT department.