HYDERABAD: Severe heat wave conditions have claimed as many as 169 lives in Andhra Pradesh so far this summer, the state government confirmed on Sunday and announced an ex gratia payment of rupees one lakh each to the kin of victims.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who took stock of the situation in the state, decided to announce the ex gratia, officials said.
The announcement came after Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishna Murthy held a review meeting with the District Collectors and revenue officials and directed them to provide medical treatment to those affected by the heatwave.
The District Collectors will pay the ex gratia after conducting an enquiry. Krishna Murthy also instructed the collectors to take preventive measures and create awareness among the people on how to avoid sunstrokes.
According to official figures, 169 people have died of sunstroke across the state. The highest number of 45 deaths were recorded in Vizianagaram district where the mercury has been hovering around 40-44 degree celsius for the past few days. It is closely followed by East Godavari district where 22 people died of sunstroke.
Krishna district accounted for 22 deaths. The heat wave conditions are likely to continue for two more days across the state.
“Officials will take measures but people should be careful and take precautionary measures,” Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishna Murthy said.
It was also decided to pay an additional Rs. 50,000 to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families under the Apathbandhu scheme for medical treatment in case of sunstrokes.