Telangana heatwave kills 16, state orders relief payment of 400,000 rupees

A severe heatwave in the southern Indian state of Telangana has claimed 16 lives across seven districts, prompting the state government to announce an ex gratia payment of 400,000 rupees to the family of each victim. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy made the announcement on Saturday after chairing an emergency review meeting with senior officials in Hyderabad to address the deteriorating conditions.

According to reports submitted by district collectors, four deaths occurred in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, with three each in Warangal Urban, Karimnagar, and Nizamabad. One fatality each was reported in Jogulamba Gadwal, Rangareddy, and Suryapet. The minister said the compensation was being provided on the direction of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and instructed officials to expedite the process.

Srinivasa Reddy warned that temperatures are expected to remain extremely high over the next three days and directed district collectors to remain on high alert. He said the severity of the heat had reached abnormal levels and that El Nino conditions had worsened the situation. The minister stressed that protecting human lives remained the top priority and that no further...