Tue Apr 15 07:40:16 UTC 2025: ## Telangana Declares Heatwave Deaths a State-Specific Disaster, Increases Relief

**Hyderabad, April 15, 2025** – The Telangana government has taken significant action to address the escalating threat of heatwaves, declaring heatwave deaths, sunstrokes, and sunburns as a “State-Specific Disaster.” This declaration comes in response to increasingly severe and prolonged heatwave events impacting the state, particularly in 2024 when many districts experienced over 30 heatwave days.

The government has substantially increased the financial relief provided to families of heatwave victims from ₹50,000 to ₹4 lakh per deceased person, payable from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). This enhanced compensation aims to alleviate the burden on families affected by these tragic events.

The decision, detailed in a government order issued by Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar, acknowledges the under-reporting of heatwave-related deaths due to the largely internal nature of the health impacts. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, women, children, farmers, and daily wage workers, particularly in the construction sector, are disproportionately affected.

To qualify for compensation, deaths must meet the criteria set by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), defining a heatwave as a temperature of at least 40°C with a deviation of 5 to 6°C from the normal, or a persistent temperature above 45°C. Farmers registered under the Rythu Bima scheme can choose the higher ex-gratia compensation between the insurance payout and the SDRF relief.

The new guidelines also emphasize transparency and accountability through a rigorous verification process involving medical officers, mandal revenue officers, and police officials. Detailed district-level records will be maintained to ensure accurate tracking of heatwave-related deaths. While local mitigation efforts, such as distributing ORS packets and setting up drinking water kiosks, were already in place, the formal disaster declaration unlocks much-needed financial support for affected families.

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