High temperatures, heat wave haunt people in Prakasam

Ongole: The continuation of the day temperatures between 42 to 46 degrees Celsius in Prakasam district has taken the lives of nearly 15 people in the last two days. The heat wave in the coastal areas continues even in the night and the people are feeling it hard to sleep in the rooms. The reports from various places claim that about 15 people have died in the span of just two days, the Monday and Tuesday due to the heat wave.

However, the three-member committees, formed by the government including the local tahsildar, sub-inspector, and medical officer as the members didn't report any of them to the district authorities. The district medical and health officer Dr. S Rajyalakshmi agreed that the temperature is very high and people with weak health conditions could die due to the heat wave.

But, she said that as these deaths are due to the pre-morbid conditions of the victims, the government cannot consider them as deaths due to sunstroke. If any person reports to the three-member committee against the death of their family member, excluding people of more than 60 years in age, the committee should perform the post mortem and may grant a compensation of Rs 50000 only, under Apatbhandhu scheme.

However, the DMHO announced that the district administration has taken all initiatives to create awareness about the heat wave and its dangers. She said that they are canvassing in all villages and towns to not come outside between 10.00 AM and 04.00 PM daily, drink more water even while staying at home. . The Ongole Municipal Commissioner K Sakunthala announced that the corporation has established free water, buttermilk, and ORS kiosks and heat wave relief shelters in the town..

-Naresh Nandan