371 die of sunstroke in AP

At least 371 persons, mostly the old and homeless, died of sunstroke and dehydration in 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh in the last one month, with a heatwave sweeping through the state. 

A maximum of 127 persons died on June 14, with the northern coastal district of Vizianagaram recording the highest number of 49 deaths. 

Revenue officials said delayed monsoon has shrunk the farming area by five lakh hectares in almost all the districts of coastal and Rayalaseema regions. 

The heatwave has severely hit the fishing and aqua industry in both the Godavari and parts of Krishna districts, which recorded losses of 35 tonnes of fish and 3000 cattle.