At least 16 dead in Telangana amid severe heatwave, temperature crosses 40°C in other states

Sixteen people have reportedly died due to a suspected heatstroke across seven districts of Telangana amid an intense heatwave sweeping parts of the country. Meanwhile, temperatures in several states have crossed the 40°C mark. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of likely to increase in temperatures in states such as Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh from Sunday. 

Following a review meeting on the heatwave situation, Telangana Minister of Information and Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said that at least 16 people had died across seven districts of the state  due to severe heatwave conditions. 

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh has ordered all government hospitals to start dedicated wards or units for heatstroke management as several districts have crossed 40°C mark including 43.8°C in Bathinda, 41.2°C in Ludhiana and 40.5°C in Amritsar, while the temperature in the Union Territory of Chandigarh was 40.6°C.

In Rajasthan, Chittorgarh recorded the highest temperature in the state at 44.2°C in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, temperatures in Haryana reached 44.1°C in Rohtak, 42.4°C in Hisar and 41.2°C in Ambala.

The effects of heat are now being felt in the hilly states as well. The Shimla Meteorological Centre has issued a 'Yellow Alert' for districts like Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur of Himachal Pradesh on May 26 and 27, expressing the possibility of a heatwave. 

On the other hand, Gujarat is also experiencing extreme heat. The maximum temperature in 8 cities has crossed 40°C. In which, 42.7 ° C was recorded in Rajkot, which became the hottest city. The lowest temperature was recorded in Ahmedabad at 42.3 degrees. However, the Meteorological Department has predicted that the temperature will start to decrease slightly after five days.