Telangana Declares Heatwave and Sunstroke as State-Specific Disasters

New policy increases ex gratia payments to Rs 4 lakh for victims' families and mandates stricter protocols for diagnosing heat-related deaths.

The Telangana government has officially classified heatwave and sunstroke as state-specific disasters to address their growing impact.
Families of those who die from heatwave or sunstroke will now receive Rs 4 lakh in ex gratia payments, up from Rs 50,000 under the previous Apathbandhu scheme.
District Collectors are required to certify heat-related deaths based on exposure history and exclusion of other causes to ensure accurate reporting.
The decision comes as 28 of the state's 33 districts experienced at least 15 days of heatwave conditions in recent years, highlighting the severity of the issue.
The move aims to address the underreported impacts of heatwaves, which disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly.