Death toll in heatwave touches 1,242

The intense heatwave sweeping through many parts of the country has claimed 1,242 lives over the last few days, with Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana bearing the brunt.

The toll due to heatwave in AP stood at 852, while it was 340 in Telangana, together accounting for 1,192 deaths. In Telangana, 74 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

The heatwave is likely continue for another two days in Telangana and three days in coastal Andhra Pradesh, said Y K Reddy, Director of Meteorological Centre, Hyderabad.

But there will be some respite from the oppressive heat in the form of precipitation within 48 hours.

In AP, Vijayawada recorded 46 degrees Celsius, Bapatla 46, Machilipatnam 46, Guntur 43, Prakasam 43, Nellore 43 and Rajahmundry recorded 43 degrees Celsius.
In Telangana, Khammam recorded 46 degrees Celsius, Nalgonda 46, Ramagundam 45, Nizamabad 44 and Hyderabad recorded 43 degrees Celsius.

On the other hand, many more people died due to sunstroke and dehydration in AP with Nellore (9) recording the highest followed by Vizianagaram (9) , Prakasam (7), Krishna (5), Vizag (4), East Godavari (4), Kadapa (3), Anantapuram (3), Guntur (3), Kurnool (2), Srikakulam (2)  and Chittoor (2).

In Telangana, 10 people died in Nizamabad, 9 in Khammam, 7 in Nalgonda, 6 in Warangal, 4 in Mahbubnagar, 3 in Adilabad and 1 in Karimnagar.

The plains of Uttar Pradesh continued to reel under scorching heat with mercury in Agra on Wednesday crossing the 46 degrees Celsius mark, making it the hottest place in the state.

Seven more people died in different parts of the state from heat stroke taking the toll to 17. Three deaths were reported from Bundelkhand region, while four people died in the eastern region in the last 24 hours.

The heatwave condition continued to sweep Haryana and Punjab as well, with maximum temperatures again hovering between 41-45 degrees Celsius.
Around 43 people reportedly died due to heat stroke in Odisha, while seven people died in Gujarat.