440 sunstroke deaths in 3 days, toll climbs to 524

TNN | May 27, 2013, 06.33 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The intense summer heat continues to claim more lives even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of a severe heat wave in some parts of the state for two more days. The Official sunstroke toll released by the commissioner of disaster management on Sunday put the number of deaths at 524 since April 1. Of these, 440 deaths were reported in the last three days, with 250 cases coming to light since Saturday.
This is the first time that 440 people have lost their lives due to heat in the span of three to four days in the state. Between April 1 and May 23, the official sunstroke toll was only 84 but it zoomed to 524 by May 26. Guntur recorded the highest number of deaths with 95 people falling victim, followed by Prakasam district with 75 casualties.

According to the IMD, the maximum temperatures showed a marked increase at one or two places in coastal Andhra Pradesh but fell at one or two places in Telangana and Rayalaseema. The highest maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius was recorded at Tuni and Visakhapatnam airport. Vijayawada and Kakinada recorded 46 degrees Celsius while Bapatla, Machilipatnam, Rentachintala, Hanamkonda and Ramagundem recorded 45 degrees Celsius. Hyderabad was relatively cooler with the mercury at 41 degrees.

Severe heat wave conditions are expected in Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East and West Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts for the next two days. Warangal and Karimnagar are also expected to feel the brunt of the sun.
 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/440-sunstroke-deaths-in-3-days-toll-climbs-to-524/articleshow/20284894.cms