Telangana in grip of heat wave, toll rises to 219

The State Disaster Management department has said that “These 219 deaths were confirmed by the three-member committee. Nalgonda tops the list with 76 deaths followed by Mahbubnagar with 35."

The last count of 178 was reported on Monday. A bulletin from the India Meteorological Department said heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in some parts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Khammam districts.

Thunderstorm with squall/hail (is) likely (to occur) at a few places over Telangana during next 48 hours (today and tomorrow), it said.

Telangana has been witnessing severe heat wave during this summer season.

The state government had earlier issued heat wave alerts to all the districts, to take precautionary measures. The government had also declared summer holidays for schools from April 16, which were actually scheduled from April 24, in view of the scorching sun.

The government had also announced ₹50,000 exgratia to the kin of each of the deceased.

• Telangana
• heat wave