This Article is From Sep 08, 2016

723 Killed In Heatwave In Andhra Pradesh This Year: Deputy Chief Minister

723 Killed In Heatwave In Andhra Pradesh This Year: Deputy Chief Minister

This is the first time this season that the state officially announced the number of heatwave deaths.

Hyderabad: 723 people died of extreme heatwave conditions in Andhra Pradesh in the last four months, Deputy Chief Minister N China Rajappa has said.

Replying to a question raised by Telugu Desam member Modugula Venugopala Reddy and others in the Assembly today, the Deputy Chief Minister, who also handles the home and disaster management portfolios, said the highest number of 238 heatwave deaths were reported in Chittoor district followed by 134 in East Godavari and 115 in Vizianagaram.

This was the first time this season that the state government officially announced the number of deaths caused by heatwave in the state.

"Last year, 1,369 deaths were reported due to heatwave. The toll was 448 in 2014 and 861 in 2013," Mr Rajappa said.

"A comprehensive heatwave action plan was adopted and being implemented in three phases from January.The government has undertaken an extensive awareness campaign on the precautionary measures to be followed by people," he added.

Most parts of the country sweltered under a blazing sun this summer with heatwave claiming dozens of lives in neighbouring Telangana and Odisha districts, too. 
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