Telangana: Heatstrokes claim 16 lives in 1 day

The mercury is soaring in Telangana and heatstrokes have claimed the lives of 16 people on Sunday alone, according to reports. At least 20 places in Telangana recorded temperatures in the range of 45 to 47 degrees Celsius on Monday. At least 10 died from heatstroke in Jagityal district alone.

Mancherial district was the hottest with 47.8 degrees, Jagityal was at 47.7, Mahbubabad at 47 and Karimnagar was at 47.

The India Meteorological Department predicted no relief from the scorching heat and dry weather over the next four days. However, the heat might also cause some isolated thundershowers.

Life was hell in the coal belt of Singareni Collieries Company Limited. Coal miners out in the open and in the deep mines suffered the most. The highest ever temperature recorded in the district was 48.9 degrees in 2015.

Hyderabad sizzled with a season-high of 44.9 degrees on Sunday but reduced to 43.4 degrees on Monday. Temperatures were well above 45 on the outskirts of the city. Madhapur was the hottest in the city at 44.9 degrees on Sunday.

According to the Real Time Governance Society of Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor, West Godavari, Guntur, Visakhapatnam and Srikakluam districts reached 45 degrees. Renigunta was the hottest in the state on Sunday with 46.9 degrees. Prakasam district also recorded 44 degrees and above.

Despite free drinking water centres maintained by the government and NGOs, the travelling public found it difficult to access cold water as the incessant heat caused water in open tanks to boil.