DHAKA: Over 750 people have died - 551 in Andhra and the rest in Telangana as the heat wave in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Telangana has pushed on relentlessly in the last few weeks.

Parts of Telangana have been their hottest in decades in the last few days. “It is not unusually high temperatures but they persisted for three-four days at least. That caused a lot of harm,” said YK Reddy of the meteorological department to NDTV.

The weather office has said northwesterly dry and hot winds are responsible for the heatwave, made worse by clear skies in the region. But the direction is now changing, so there could be some respite in a couple of days.

Officials warn the toll is near certain to rise, with figures still being collected in some parts of Telangana.

The authorities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have issued a red alert and are urging labourers and others not to work between 11:30 and 4 in the afternoon.

“The majority of the victims are people who have been exposed to the sun directly, usually aged 50 and above and from the working classes,” said P Tulsi Rani, special commissioner of Andhra Pradesh’s disaster management department.

“We are asking them to take precautions like using an umbrella, using a cap, taking a huge quantity of liquids like water and buttermilk, and wearing cotton clothing,” she said.

BDST: 1135 HRS, MAY 26, 2015
SR

** India heatwave ‘kills 500’