Hyderabad: With the sudden rise in day temperature in the two Telugu States since beginning of March, the hot spell claimed 10 lives in the last three days. Especially senior citizens are breathing last due to the scorching sun and hot winds from north and western regions sweeping the Telugu States.
The temperatures recorded on Wednesday and Thursday were four degrees more than normal in March. Doctors were appealing to the people not to venture out of their houses from 12 noon to 4 pm. If they want to go out under unavoidable circumstances, the doctors were advising the people to take precautionary steps like wearing caps, helmet or headgear and so on.
Reeling under heat wave conditions, the people were taking relief by consuming cold drinks and fruit juices mixed with ice.
The India Meteorological Department stated that dry weather prevailed over the entire Telangana State and heat wave conditions persist in some parts of Khammam district. The IMD stated the highest maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius was recorded at Mahbubnagar on Thursday. The lowest minimum temperature of 17 degrees Celsium was recorded in Adilabad.
After 1996, this is the first time that Andhra Pradesh witnessed scorching sun in March, while Telangana witnessed highest temperature in March 2010.
GP Sharma, vice-president (meteorology) at Skymet said that this is nothing new for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to witness soaring temperatures during summer, but the heat wave conditions have started early this year.
The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded on Thursday are: Adilabad max. 39, minimum 17; Bhadrachalam 41 – 27; Hakimpet 38 – 23; Hanamkonda 41 – 24; Hyderabad 40 – 25; Khammam 41 – 26; Mahbubnagar 42 – 27; Medak 41 – 24; Nalgonda 41 – 25; Nizamabad 41 – 25 and Ramagundam 40 – 20. (NSS)
Telugu States reeling under sun fury; 10 dead so far
