The intense heat wave across Andhra Pradesh has claimed more than 35 lives on Friday alone while 20 people had died on Thursday. Officials say that nearly hundred people have died due to sunstroke and other heat related problems over the last one week.
Though officially monsoon is only a few days away, the State is sizzling in scorching summer heat and last kicks of the hot season.
The temperature in many parts of the State has crossed 45 degrees. Rentichintala in Prakasham district is the hottest place in the State as it recorded 47.5 degrees temperature.
While Hyderabad was reeling under intense heat wave with around 44 degrees, roads remained deserted throughout the day. Hot winds were continuing during the nights making it unbearable specially for the bike riders.
Normal life was also hit in other major cities of Vijaywada, Visakhapatanam and Tirupati. Nizamabad also recorded more than 45 degrees Celsius. According to the unofficial reports, the temperature was hovering around 50 degrees in coal belt of Khammam district.
Of the deaths on Friday, eight were reported from Karimnagar, six in Warangal, and three each from Adilabad and Prakasham.
Meteorological department officials said that the dry winds from North have worsened the heat. They warned that the heat wave will become more intense and oppressive over the weekend marking the last phase of the summer.
It is after several years that so many people have lost their lives due to the heat wave. In Warangal, a junior college student Rakesh Reddy died due to the sunstroke while travelling to his home town in Karimnagar. He was returning after writing examination.
Department of Disaster Management and Relief announced that families of each victim of sunstroke death will be paid Rs50,000 as en emergency relief from the Government.
In another heart-rending incident in Hayatnagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad, a woman labourer died of heatstroke on Friday morning. She died while on the way to hospital. later, her two-year-old daughter also died of sunstroke in a hospital.
According to the latest weather bulletin from the weather office, Bapatla and Ramagundam recorded 47 degrees on Friday followed by 46 degrees in Vijaywada and Nizamabad. Nalgonda, Bhadrachalam, Nandigama and Nellore recorded 45 degrees Celsius.
Commissioner Disaster Management and Relief T Radha cautioned the people against going out of their homes between 10.30 am and 4 pm when the heat wave will be the more intense.