Andhra Pradesh heat wave toll 1,235

The death toll rose to 1,235 even as the severe heat wave continued to batter Andhra Pradesh for the 21st day on Thursday, according to State Relief Commissioner D C Rosaiah.

The fatalities have slightly come down with only 26 deaths reported in the past 24 hours.

Temperatures have shot up to 46 to 48 degrees in many places and drinking water has become scarce.

Though normal life has remained unaffected, the people preferred to stay off the roads or open spaces during the peak noon hours to avoid the scorching sun.

Severe conditions prevailed over interior Telangana region, in Krishna and Guntur districts in south coastal Andhra, Prakasam and Nellore districts in south coastal Andhra and in Chittoor and Kurnool districts in the Rayalaseema region.

The highest maximum temperature of 48 degrees Celsius was recorded in the coastal city of Vijayawada. At least seven other towns witnessed temperatures ranging between 45 degrees to 47.5 degrees Celsius.

Hyderabad Meteorological Centre director C V V Bhadram said, "The severe heat wave conditions will continue in parts of south coastal Andhra and Telangana during the next two days. Isolated rains or thundershowers are likely to occur at a few places in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. Telangana will remain dry."

Meanwhile, the state Cabinet in Hyderabad expressed concern over the large number of deaths and asked the district administration to take all possible measures to provide succour and relief to sunstroke victims and to arrange ex-gratia payments of Rs 10,000 each to the families of the victims.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to tackle the drinking water problem on a war footing.

90 out of the state's 117 municipalities and municipal corporations are having drinking water scarcity. The problem has turned critical in at least eight municipal towns, where authorities are supplying drinking water once in two or three days.

Out of 272,153 borewells in 26,586 inhabited villages, 7,298 borewells have broken down.