Heatwave deaths come down to single digit Number in AP

Vijayawada: The heatwave deaths in the state came down to single digit number this season with increased awareness programmes conducted by the government among people.

Eight deaths were reported in the current summer season in the state so far when compared to 99 in last year, 316 in 2016, 674 in 2015 and 179 heatwave deaths reported in 2014. It may be noted that Chittoor district witnessed the highest number of 31 deaths followed by 25 in Prakasam district and 13 deaths in Nellore district last year.

The highest temperature of 44.9 degrees Celsius was recorded in Oletivaripalem in Prakasam district this year against 42.5 degrees of average highest temperature last year, 42.1 degrees in 2016, 42.1 degrees in 2015 and 41.9 degrees of temperature in 2014.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to increase green cover in the state to bring down the temperature to protect people from heatwave.

AP State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has taken up several awareness programmes to minimise heatwave deaths in the state by releasing frequent weather bulletins and forecasts.

The officials of disaster management authority set up 66,453 drinking water kiosks with the cooperation of voluntary organisations. Besides 70,134 summer shelters were arranged to protect people from heatwave.

The officials also distributed 22.44 lakh summer and heatwave awareness pamphlets with necessary precautions to escape sunstroke. They organised 1.42 lakh awareness camps and distributed 12.44 lakh ORS packets throughout the state.

APSDMA MD MV Seshagiri Babu said the state government’s initiative to protect people from heatwave and weather forecasts helped to reduce heatwave deaths in the state this year.