The Sweltering Summers
This summer has been cruel for Andhra Pradesh as the mercury has soared above 45 degree Celsius in several places. Temperatures in Hyderabad are hovering around 44 degrees reducing citizens to a sweltering mass. The highest temperatures have been recorded at Vijayawada, Rentachintala, Bapatla, Visakhapatnam and Machilipatnam at 47 degrees. What is sad is that the State has recorded 524 deaths since April 1, 2013. The highest number of deaths have been recorded in Guntur (95) and Prakasam (75) districts. Dos and Don'ts for the summer have been issued by the Health Department in newspapers and public places since many are succumbing to the heat because they ignore simple safety tips. The government is providing assistance of Rs 50,000 to the BPL families of those who have died due to sunstroke. When there is death and a State scheme, there is bound to be politics. The CPI State secretary K Narayana criticises the government for giving the ex gratia based on FIRs alone saying this is being unnecessarily cruel to the victim's family.