Hundreds Die As Heatwave Lingers in Southern India
A heatwave in southern India has killed 566 people through sunstroke and dehydration, according to official figures from the state of Andhra Pradesh. The worst affected district has been Godavari, a flat and densely populated coastal region, where temperatures rose to 47.5C (117.5F) last...
A heatwave in southern India has killed 566 people through sunstroke and dehydration, according to official figures from the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The worst affected district has been Godavari, a flat and densely populated coastal region, where temperatures rose to 47.5C (117.5F) last week.
The state's chief relief official, DC Roshaiah, said yesterday that casualty figures had been high because many people had failed to heed the government's advice to stay indoors.
Last year more than 1,000 people in the state, mostly aged or ill, died as temperatures hit 50C (122F).
Other states have also reported heat-related deaths. On Tuesday temperatures in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, hit 44.9C.
Mr Roshaiah said the Andhra Pradesh state government would give 10,000 rupees (£138) to victims' families living below the poverty line.
Meteorologists said yesterday that temperatures would not drop for at least 48 hours.
The worst affected district has been Godavari, a flat and densely populated coastal region, where temperatures rose to 47.5C (117.5F) last week.
The state's chief relief official, DC Roshaiah, said yesterday that casualty figures had been high because many people had failed to heed the government's advice to stay indoors.
Last year more than 1,000 people in the state, mostly aged or ill, died as temperatures hit 50C (122F).
Other states have also reported heat-related deaths. On Tuesday temperatures in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, hit 44.9C.
Mr Roshaiah said the Andhra Pradesh state government would give 10,000 rupees (£138) to victims' families living below the poverty line.
Meteorologists said yesterday that temperatures would not drop for at least 48 hours.
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