The unusually harsh summer heat in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has started taking a huge toll on its residents.
At least 111 people have died due to sunstroke during the last few days as the two states are experiencing intense heat wave conditions.According to the Met department, there was appreciable rise in maximum temperatures at one or two places in Telangana on Thursday.
The heat wave had claimed nearly 2,000 lives in the two states last year.
Temperatures have risen unusually in the first week of April with several parts of the country recording deviations of more than 5°C.
Significant relief from hot weather conditions is highly unlikely in the coming days, More than 100 people have died of sunstroke in Telangana and Andhra, a majority of them in the last week, as the state swelters under an intense heat wave.
Weather officials attribute the early onset of heat to after-effects of the weather phenomenon El Nino that caused poor monsoon last year.
State governments have started precautionary majors to stave off any harm to people due to heat waves.
In some states government departments and local bodies have arranged for drinking water booths in public places while district collectors are publicising precautionary measures to survive harsh weather conditions.
Temperatures have been higher than normal in parts of western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, eastern Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
The heat wave that has been hovering over central and peninsular India is shifting east to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
Temperatures in parts of these states have crossed 43 degree. Maharashtra has been facing acute shortage of water.
People in Marthwara are facing shortage of drinking water also.Some parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana could see temperatures rise above 48 degree Celsius.
Last year's heat wave claimed more than 2,000 across India, a third of those casualties in this region.
(BK)