Sudden rains bring respite; heatwave toll touches 1,260

Many were seen out on the roads at night soaking in the rain. Sudden rains also brought relief at many places in Rayalaseema and at isolated places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh. However, rainfall for the season starting from March 1 has been deficient in eight districts of Coastal AP till now.

Power supply was hit in many areas of the city following heavy drizzle, gales and citizens had to sweat it out for more than two to three hours. Dilsukhnagar, LB nagar, Moosarambagh, Naryanaguda, Kukatpally, Ameerpet, Srinagar Colony along with half of the old city went powerless in the evening.

Officials of Metro Zone said it was due to rain and gusty winds, which felled a tree on the supply lines. There were reports of tripping of transformers in many areas and the staff had to replace the HT wires at some places. Nearly 26 breakdowns were reported officially, TSSPDCL officials said. Meanwhile, the power utility clarified that supply was not stopped to the Gandipet area where Telugu Desam’s annual jamboree, Mahanadu, is going on.

“Power supply is arranged through a diesel generator for the main stage and the political party itself arranged for it. The MCB of the generator got tripped on Wednesday afternoon resulting in power breakdown,” TSPDCL said in a media release.

Heatwave conditions will continue in Andhra Pradesh till Friday. On Thursday, the heat wave claimed lives of about 70 people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana taking the toll to more than 1,260 in both states.

On Wednesday, the maximum temperatures rose at a few places in Telangana. The highest maximum temperature of 47ºC was recorded at Khammam and Nizamabad. In Andhra Pradesh too, the temperatures were above normal at a few places. The highest maximum temperature of 47ºC was recorded at Nandigama and Ongole.