Published May 24, 2026 | 11:37 AM ⚊ Updated May 24, 2026 | 11:37 AM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Severe heatwave conditions in Telangana have claimed 16 lives, prompting the state government to announce ₹4 lakh compensation for victims’ families. Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy urged district collectors to remain vigilant, ensure water and ORS availability, and protect vulnerable groups. With IMD forecasting intensifying heat till May 26, officials were directed to implement strict precautionary measures statewide.
At least 16 people have died due to severe heatwave conditions in Telangana this summer, prompting the state government to announce an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh each to the families of the victims.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy on Saturday, 23 May, directed district collectors to remain on high alert and take immediate measures to prevent further casualties amid rising temperatures across the state.
The minister conducted an emergency review meeting with senior officials at the Secretariat as several districts continued to reel under extreme temperatures and heatwave conditions.
According to reports submitted by district collectors, four deaths were reported from Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, three each from Warangal Urban, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts, and one each from Jogulamba Gadwal, Rangareddy and Suryapet districts.
Srinivasa Reddy said the compensation would be provided as per the directions of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and instructed officials to expedite the process.
“There should be no negligence in safeguarding human lives. The entire government machinery must remain fully alert,” the minister said during the review meeting.
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With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that heatwave conditions are likely to intensify over the next three days, the minister asked district administrations to remain extra vigilant. He said the intensity of the summer heat had reached unprecedented levels and attributed the worsening conditions partly to the impact of a strong El Niño phenomenon.
Officials were directed to identify mandals and villages recording extreme temperatures and issue advance warnings to residents. The minister also instructed authorities to ensure the availability of cool drinking water, buttermilk and ORS packets at bus stands, markets, labour-intensive areas, major roads and other crowded public places. “Not a single life should be lost due to the heat,” he said.
The minister appealed to elderly persons, pregnant women, children and those suffering from illnesses to avoid stepping outdoors between 11 am and 4 pm unless absolutely necessary.
Special precautions were also ordered for agricultural labourers, construction workers and roadside workers who remain exposed to harsh weather conditions for long hours.
According to IMD, severe heatwave conditions are expected to continue till May 26 in Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahbubnagar, Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts. Collectors in these districts were asked to implement special precautionary measures.
Meanwhile, four districts recorded temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Khammam registered the highest temperature at 45.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Adilabad at 45.3 degrees Celsius, Ramagundam at 45.1 degrees Celsius and Hanamkonda at 45 degrees Celsius. Nizamabad recorded 43.5 degrees Celsius, while Nalgonda and Medak registered 42.5 and 42 degrees Celsius respectively.
The IMD has also issued a yellow warning for several districts, predicting light rain and thunderstorms accompanied by winds of up to 40 kmph in parts of Nalgonda, Rangareddy, Nagarkurnool, Mahabubnagar, Wanaparthy, Jogulamba Gadwal and Narayanpet districts.
