Hyderabad: Heat wave deaths in Telangana rose to 16 across seven districts, prompting the state government to announce compensation and intensify emergency measures.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy reviewed the heat wave situation with senior officials at the Secretariat on Saturday. He directed district administrations to remain on high alert.
Officials informed the minister that Jayashankar Bhupalpally district reported four deaths due to heat stroke. Warangal Urban, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts recorded three deaths each.
Jogulamba Gadwal, Rangareddy and Suryapet districts reported one death each.
Following instructions from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the government decided to provide Rs 4 lakh compensation to each affected family.
Ponguleti said the severe El Nino effect had sharply increased temperatures across Telangana. He warned officials against negligence during extreme summer conditions.
Heat wave deaths trigger statewide emergency measures
The minister directed district collectors to identify villages and mandals recording extreme temperatures. He asked officials to issue advance warnings to residents.
He instructed departments to spread awareness through media, social media and village-level announcements.
Officials were also told to ensure that information reached people every hour.
Ponguleti asked officials to arrange drinking water, buttermilk and ORS packets at bus stands, markets, highways and labour work sites.
He appealed to older people, women, children and sick persons to avoid going outdoors between 11 am and 4 pm unless necessary.
The minister instructed officials to take special precautions for agricultural labourers, construction workers and roadside workers exposed to direct sunlight.
He also directed district collectors to personally monitor heat wave conditions and keep emergency medical teams ready.
Ponguleti said local authorities should place water containers and earthen pots for birds and animals in villages and towns.
The Meteorological Department warned that severe temperatures and heat wave conditions would continue till May 26 in Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts.
🌞హీట్ వేవ్పై రాష్ట్రవ్యాప్తంగా అప్రమత్తత
🌞ప్రజల ప్రాణ రక్షణకు అత్యంత ప్రాధాన్యత
🌞వడగాల్పులతో 7జిల్లాల్లో 16 మంది మృత్యువాత
🌞మృతుల కుటుంబాలకు రూ.4 లక్షల చొప్పున నష్టపరిహారం
🌞రాష్ట్రంలో తీవ్రస్దాయి ఉష్ణోగ్రతలపై మంత్రి పొంగులేటి సమీక్ష
ఎండల తీవ్రత దృష్ట్యా… pic.twitter.com/HHRnEsDj7Y
— IPRDepartment (@IPRTelangana) May 23, 2026