Telangana Braces for Severe Heatwave; Minister Issues Precautions

Telangana is preparing for an exceptionally severe heatwave following warnings from the Meteorological Department about temperatures climbing above 44 degrees Celsius across various parts of the state in the coming days.

Revenue, Housing, and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has placed district collectors and government officials on high alert to manage the anticipated weather crisis. The minister cautioned residents to exercise considerable care during the extreme heat conditions and warned that unseasonal rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms could strike simultaneously in different regions of the state.

Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy emphasized that authorities must implement protective measures to minimize casualties and damage to property during the severe weather event.

Districts facing extreme heat

Several districts face particularly dangerous conditions, with temperatures projected to soar above 44 degrees Celsius in Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, and Nirmal. The heat is also expected to intensify considerably in Jagtial, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Peddapalli over the coming period.

In response, the minister has advised residents to remain indoors between 8:30 am and 5 pm except when absolutely essential. Children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with existing medical conditions have been urged to exercise heightened precautions. The public has been encouraged to consume ample quantities of water, buttermilk, and oral rehydration solutions.

Workers engaged in outdoor activities have been advised to use head protection against direct sun exposure.

Government mobilizes emergency response

Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has instructed district administrations to ensure citizens do not suffer hardship during the heatwave. Collectors have been directed to guarantee continuous supplies of drinking water, uninterrupted electricity, functioning medical facilities, ambulance services, and fire safety resources.

Officials have also been tasked with disseminating information about heatstroke prevention measures in villages and urban areas. The government plans to launch public awareness campaigns focusing on summer safety protocols.

The minister stated that safeguarding public welfare forms a central objective of the government's response. He noted that the administration is maintaining continuous surveillance of the situation given the severity of the heat conditions expected.