Indian Meteorological Department, Hyderabad bulletin said that heat wave conditions prevailed over some parts of Adilabad, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda.

Oppressive heat wave conditions sweeping several parts of Telangana has so far claimed 18 lives. Adilabad accounted for as many as 11 casualties even as officials started verifying the details of the victims. In Warangal District too, four deaths were reported since yesterday.

Indian Meteorological Department, Hyderabad bulletin said that heat wave conditions prevailed over some parts of Adilabad, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Karimnagar districts of Telangana. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature rose at one or two places in the State. They were above normal at a few places. The highest maximum temperature of 46 degree Celsius was recorded at Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Ramagundam.

Four dead in Karimnagar

Blistering heat wave conditions in Telangana lead to death of eight persons on Thursday. Reports from Karimnagar and Medak Districts said that while temperature crossed 46 degrees Celsius in Karimnagar and 43 degrees in Medak, people suffered from dehydration and sun-stroke.

Those who died in Karimnagar District were identified as Kistaiah (75) of Potharam village in Husnabad mandal; Rajamallu (80) a resident of Ambedkar Nagar (Husnabad mandal) and an autorickshaw driver Sammaiah (50) of Gollapalle village of Shankarpatnam mandal.

The heat wave since morning had forced the people to remain indoors. The aged and children were suffering from the hot air blowing across the district. Those who were forced to come out protected themselves from the heat wave by wearing cap and masks.

The Ramagundam coal belt had turned into a `furnace’ with the temperature reaching 47 degree Celsius on Thursday. The coal miners were struggling hard at their worksite and the coal production also got hampered at the open cast projects following the heat waves.

Three die in Medak

In Medak district too temperatures were soaring for the past three days. Three deaths were reported in the district due to sunstroke on Thursday. People preferred to stay indoors instead of venturing out fearing sun-stroke. Even doctors suggested completing outdoor works either in the early morning or late evening.

The temperatures rose between five to six degrees during the day and night compared to normal levels. Rocky terrain like Narayanakhed recorded 43 degrees Celsius. In the Medak weather station the temperature recorded on Wednesday was 42.4 degrees and on Tuesday the temperature was 41.7 degrees Celsius. The three dead due to sun-stroke were identified as Pedda Lakshmi (50), a labourer working on MNREGS project; Shourya (60) at Ambajipet in Chinnashankarampet mandal and Gaddam Narasaiah (65) at Veluru village in Wargal mandal. However, the officials refused to confirm the details of the deaths.