Visakhapatnam: With temperatures continuing in the mid-400C, the number of people suffering from sunstroke is also on the rise in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Though officially, there have been three heat-related deaths, many believe that the searing heat has claimed many more lives, but these deaths have not been attributed to the temperatures.
Till date, nearly 100 people have been admitted to various hospitals across North Andhra with heat-related complaints. This is the data available with the district authorities.
However, Visakhapatnam district officials say that there has been one death so far and no one was hospitalised. In Vizianagaram district, as many as 46 people were hospitalised. However, this is much lower than the 280 hospitalisations last summer.
The district collectors of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam have been monitoring implementation of the summer action plan from February itself to keep casualties at the minimum.
Lakhs of ORS packets have been distributed and proper awareness campaigns taken up. Though the temperatures were more ‘moderate’ on Wednesday, the people were still cautious about venturing onto the roads under the hot sun.
“Cyclone Fani gave a four-day break from this hot summer. Before Fani, it was extremely hot and after the cyclone struck, it’s horrible. We are even unable to come onto the roads during the day and putting off our chores till the evening. We wish that another cyclone, but harmless, comes and rescues the district from this heat,” said K. Suryanarayana, a retired teacher from Visakhapatnam.
The heat is such that people on two-wheelers take frequent stops under whatever shade.they spot before completing their journey.
Then there are the philanthropists who distribute buttermilk and water to passerby, getting a smile and a prayer in return.
Vizianagaram district medical and health officer K. Vijaya Lakshmi said, “With proper awareness among the people this time, only a few people were hospitalised. However, we are continuing our door-to-door campaign as directed by the collector to ensure people stay safe.”
