Hyderabad, May 23 (RAHNUMA): Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Saturday urged the people across Telangana to remain highly cautious over the next three days as temperatures continue to soar across the state.
During an emergency review meeting held at the Secretariat in Hyderabad, the Minister directed the officials to identify mandals and villages recording the highest temperatures and issue advance warnings to residents. Special awareness campaigns are also being planned in vulnerable areas.
The Minister advised elderly people and children to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary. Officials were instructed to arrange buttermilk and ORS packets at bus stands, railway stations, busy roads and labour-intensive work areas to help people cope with the heatwave conditions.
According to reports submitted by the District Collectors, heatwave-related deaths were reported from several districts:
– 4 deaths in Jayashankar Bhupalpally
– 3 deaths each in Warangal, Karimnagar and Nizamabad
– 1 death each in Jogulamba Gadwal, Ranga Reddy and Suryapet
The state government announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs.4 lakh for the families of the deceased. District Collectors have been instructed to personally monitor the situation and ensure emergency medical services remain on standby for immediate treatment of heatstroke victims.
The Minister also directed the officials to arrange drinking water through tanks and earthen pots for birds and animals during the severe summer conditions.
