Heatwave kills 19 in Telangana, AP

At least 19 people died of sunstroke in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as the northern districts of the two states sizzled between 40 and 44 degrees Celsius.

Reports from the districts confirmed at least 12 deaths in Telangana and 7 in Andhra Pradesh. Adilabad and Nizamabad districts in Telangana recorded 44 degrees Celsius. Daily wagers, tourists, street vendors and the aged suffered the most.

The coal belt area of Ramagundam (43 deg C), Hyderabad (42), Hanmakonda (41) and Hakimpet (41) were the other places in Telangana that reeled under heatwave conditions.

In the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool and Nandyal were the hottest at 43 degrees Celsius, Anantapur recorded 42, Kadapa 41 and Tirupati 40. In coastal Andhra Pradesh, the port city of Visakhapatnam recorded 42 degrees Celsius and Machilipatnam recorded 40.

However, thunderstorms coupled with lightening struck north coastal districts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram on Tuesday afternoon, inundating many low lying areas. The temperature dropped in Visakhapatnam after the sudden shower.

The rain claimed four lives in Vizianagaram district.

Revenue officials said all four died after lightening struck them while they were in an open field. A lightning warning has been issued in all the three north coastal districts of the state.