No relirf from heat wave in India, death toll crosses 2000

Women drinking Nimbu Pani to beat the heat in Karad, Maharashtra. Photo: PTI

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The nationwide death toll on Friday rose to 2005 as the intense heat wave continued to sweep many parts of the country, with Palamau in Jharkhand recording the highest temperature of 47 degrees celsius.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which bore the brunt of the scorching sun, together accounted for 1979 deaths. The two states saw the death of 205 people since Thursday -- 156 in Andhra Pradesh and 49 in Telangana.

In Odisha, the Special Relief Commissioner's Office received reports of 108 deaths allegedly due to sun stroke but it confirmed only 17 deaths related to heat and said 70 other cases are under investigation. Gujarat has reported 7 deaths and Delhi two deaths due to heat.

Heat wave conditions also continued in many other states, including Delhi, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

Palamau in Jharkhand was the hottest place, recording 47 degrees celsius. Bhawanipatna in Odisha saw the temperature of 45.5 degrees celsius, while Kota in Rajasthan saw the heat of 44.6 degrees celsius followed by 43.9 in capital Jaipur.

Delhi recorded 42 degrees celsius while Punjab and Haryana also saw temperature in the range of 40-44 degrees Celsius at most of the places.

Andhra Pradesh, the worst hit state, reported 1490 deaths, 156 up since Thursday.

Telangana, the second most affected state, saw the toll rising to 489 on Friday from 440 on Thursday.

In the state, Nalgonda district has witnessed the maximum of 126 deaths, followed by Karimnagar (95), Khammam (92), Mahabubnagar (37), besides 35 each in Medak and Ranga Reddy districts.

The heat wave has also claimed 22 lives in Adilabad, 20 in Warangal, 17 in Nizamabad and 10 in Hyderabad.

According to the India Meteorological Department, heat wave conditions prevailed over many parts in the districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda of Telangana.

In Odisha, the state's Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office received reports of 108 deaths allegedly due to sun stroke.

"However, 17 deaths are so far confirmed due to heat related incidents, while 21 other deaths were found from other reasons. 70 other cases are under investigation by the district collectors," a statement issued by the SRC said.

Of the 17 confirmed sun stoke deaths, five cases came from the coastal Kendrapara district followed by three from Bargarh, two each from Rayagada and Cuttack districts while the districts of Angul, Balasore, Balngir, Keonjhar and Ganjam confirmed one death each.

In Odisha, though the mercury level marginally fell in the coastal districts on Friday, the heat wave conditions continued in western region with Bhawanipatna and Sonepur recording the highest temperature at 45.5 degree Celsius.

Balngir and Titlagarh experienced 45 degree celsius temeperature each, a met official said. Sambalpur recorded 44.8 degrees celsius followed by Hirakud with 44.6, Jharsuguda 43.6, Angul 42.7, Malkangiri 42.6 and Sundergarh 42.5.

While 13 places in the state recorded above 40 degrees C, the state capital Bhubaneswar experienced a temperature of 39.7 degrees celsius.

Meanwhile, the local Met office has issued a warning of possible heat wave conditions at some places in interior areas and thunder squal accompanied with hail and gusty wind speed reaching 60 kmph in one or two places of coastal region.