New Delhi: As the heat wave have gripped the entire nation, death toll in Odisha and Telangana are shooting up with the mercury level with each passing day.
The death toll in Odisha on Saturday reached 79, while at least 49 people died in Telangana due to the scorching heatstroke.
According to news agency ANI, 48 degree Celsius temperature was recorded in Odisha's Titlagarh today. While temperature in eight districts of Odisha crossed 45 degree Celsius.
In Telangana, temperature has been hovering above 40 degrees Celsius in most parts of the state since last fortnight prompting the government to issue a heat wave alert in all districts.
According to a bulletin issued by India Meteorological Department (IMD) today, heat wave conditions are likely to prevail at a few places in Telangana today and tomorrow.
Telangana government has also launched a web portal for heat wave predictions and necessary resources available at respective places in case of emergency.
The IMD has warned of severe heat wave conditions that are likely to prevail over isolated places in the districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak and Nalgonda of Telangana.
Meanwhile, the state governments of Odisha and Telangana today announced Rs 50,000 as ex-gratia to the kin of those who died due to sun stroke.
Last month, in its first ever summer forecast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that temperatures between April and June were going to be warmer than usual. It had also said that above normal heat wave conditions would be seen in central and northwest India.
That prediction has come true with an intensity that has turned much of the country into an inferno. In the hottest April on record, the mercury has already gone past the 47 degree Celsius mark in Odisha’s Titlagarh.
The worst-hit have been Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh along with parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Severe heat wave conditions are likely to prevail over isolated places in several districts of Telangana for the next four days, according to the IMD.
It seems that people of West Bengal aslo can't find an escape route from the heat wave either. The Met department predicted severe heatwave like conditions to prevail for few days.
Two persons died in Birbhum and Howrah, reportedly due to heat stroke.
Bankura recorded a maximum of 45 degrees Celsius while Krishnagar sizzled at 44. Sriniketan, Burdwan Behrampur and Malda crossed the 40 degree Celsius mark. Kolkata recorded 39 degree Celsius.
Delhi is predicted get hotter with the temperature rising from 37 degree Celsius on Saturday to 44 degrees Celsius on April 30. The minimum temperature is predicted to stay around 24 degrees for the rest of April.
In Haryana, Hisar recorded a high of 40 degrees Celsius, while Ambala 38.1 degree Celsius. Chandigarh was relatively cooler at 37.5 degree Celsius after a drizzle.
In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a high of 35.3 degree Celsius, while Ludhiana and Patiala recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degree Celsius.
Uttar Pradesh too continued to swelter with dry weather. The highest maximum temperature in the state was 44 degree Celsius recorded at Allahabad.
In Maharasthra, Bramhapuri town in Chandrapur district recorded a highest temperature of 46 degrees Celsius.
Chandrapur recorded a high of 45 degrees Celsius, Nagpur 44.8 degrees Celsius and Wardha 44.2 degrees Celsius.
(With Agency inputs)
