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🇮🇳 India /Disasters & Emergencies

Telangana heatwave claims at least 16 lives; ₹4 lakh ex gratia announced

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • At least 16 people have died in Telangana, India, due to suspected heatstroke amid soaring temperatures, with four districts reporting multiple fatalities.
  • The state government has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh to the families of each deceased.
  • Temperatures in the state have exceeded 45 degrees Celsius in several areas, attributed to the severe impact of El Nino leading to intensified heatwave conditions.

Telangana, India, is grappling with a severe heatwave, which has claimed the lives of at least 16 people across seven districts due to suspected heatstroke this summer season. Officials confirmed the fatalities on Saturday, May 24, 2026, following a review meeting with state revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.

Jayashankar Bhupalpally district reported four deaths, while Warangal Urban, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts recorded three deaths each. One death each was reported from Jogulamba Gadwal, Rangareddy and Suryapet districts.

— Official statement from the minister’s officeDetails on the distribution of heatstroke deaths across various districts in Telangana.

Jayashankar Bhupalpally district recorded the highest number of deaths with four, while Warangal Urban, Karimnagar, and Nizamabad districts each reported three fatalities. Jogulamba Gadwal, Rangareddy, and Suryapet districts each confirmed one death. An official, speaking anonymously, noted that unconfirmed reports suggest up to 34 sunstroke deaths by Friday, though district authorities are still verifying the exact causes.

The state government has responded by announcing an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh (approximately $4,800 USD) to the families of each victim. Minister Reddy urged officials to expedite the compensation process without delay and cautioned against any negligence in protecting public health during the extreme weather.

However, the district authorities have not confirmed whether the deaths were precisely due to heatstroke.

— OfficialAn official speaking anonymously about the unconfirmed number of sunstroke deaths.

Temperatures in Telangana have reached alarming levels, with several places across 19 districts recording temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius by Saturday afternoon. Dummugudem in Bhadradri Kothagudem district and Dharmapuri in Jagtial district registered the highest temperature at 46.3 degrees Celsius. The severe heatwave conditions are attributed to the intensified impact of El Nino, according to a weather bulletin from the Telangana State Development Planning Society.

Reddy said temperatures in the state had reached alarming levels due to the severe El Nino impact, leading to intensified heatwave conditions. He warned officials against any negligence in safeguarding public health.

— Weather bulletinInformation on the cause of the extreme heat and a warning to officials regarding public health.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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