Over 1,200 dead as heatwave intensifies

The scorching heatwave sweeping across India has claimed 1,242 lives so far. The Health Ministry is likely to issue advisory for the first time ever on the “dos and don’ts” to help states as well as people to cope with the intense heat.

The Health Ministry has also extended assistance and medical aid to worst-hit Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where the heatwave has claimed nearly 1,200 lives so far.

“This year, the heatwave condition is unprecedented and there has been a large number of deaths. The Health Ministry is likely to come up with an advisory soon for all the states and common people,” a senior Health Ministry official said.

Health Minister JP Nadda who is presently attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva also spoke over phone to the Union Health Secretary and took stock of the situation especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states.

“He also directed the Secretary to talk to respective state Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and provide them with all help and medical aid, if there is a need,” the senior official said. Of the 1,242 deaths, the two southern states account for most of the fatalities.

As per the latest figures, the toll due to heatwave in Andhra Pradesh stood at 852 while it was 340 in Telangana — together accounting for 1,192 deaths.

Besides Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, sweltering conditions persisted in Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal with temperature hovering around 45°C in most places in these states.