Heat wave continues to lash India; death toll rises to 368

At least 145 people died due to intense heat wave in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana since Saturday, raising to 368 the death toll in the blistering weather conditions which continued in many parts of the country on Sunday, including national capital Delhi.

In Delhi, the day temperature was recorded at 44.5 degree celsius, the same as on Saturday, which is five notches above normal.

In Andhra Pradesh, 87 deaths were reported since Saturday, taking the toll to 182. The death toll in the state yesterday stood at 95.

Prakasam district has recorded the maximum deaths of 57, state disaster management officials said.

Reports from some districts are still being compiled.

The toll pertains to the period from May 18 till this evening for Andhra Pradesh, the officials said.

Telangana reported death of 58 more people since yesterday, as a result of which the toll went up to 186 in 10 districts of the state, a senior official of State Disaster Management Department told PTI.

The death toll Saturday stood at 128.

Nalgonda district recorded the maximum number 55 of deaths, followed by Khammam district at 43 and Mahabubnagar district at 23, she said. In Hyderabad, two persons have died to heatwave.

The toll is registered from April 15 in Telangana, the official said.

Khammam district had recorded a maximum temperature of 48 degree Celsius on Friday.

According to India Meteorological department, severe heatwave conditions are expected to continue till Monday in both these states.

Heat wave continued in various other parts of the country as well.

There was no respite from blistering heat in desert state of Rajasthan where Jaisalmer and Sriganganagar district remained the hottest place with recording a maximum of 45.6 degree celsius.

Kota recorded maximum of 45.5 degree celsius while Bikaner and Barmer registered day temperature of 44.6 and 44.2 degrees, respectively.

Churu and Jaipur sizzled at 43.8 degree celsius, according to the Met report till 1630 hrs.

Jodhpur, Ajmer and Dabok also recorded day temperature of 42, 41.4 and 40 degree Celsius.

Heat wave conditions prevailed at some areas in Bikaner and Kota divisions and the weather is likely to remain the same during next 24 hours.