The death toll from a severe heat wave rose to 551 in Andhra Pradesh and 213 in Telangana on Monday as the meteorological office predicted similar conditions for the next two weeks.
25 deaths were reported in Srikakulam, 61 in Vizianagaram, 90 in East Godavari, 3 in West Godavari, 36 in Krishna, 104 in Guntur districts of the state.
Hospitals in both the states have been inundated with patients suffering from sun stroke and dehydration from the intense heat reaching up to 47 degrees Celsius.
Frequent power cuts and reduced water supply at one hospital in Visakhapatnam exacerbated the situation and some complained that fans in the hospital were not functioning.
"My brother Kishore is admitted here. He suffered sun stroke while going to work yesterday morning. His condition became serious. People said that the temperature touched 45 degree Celsius yesterday. It was extremely hot. I have never experienced such intense heat in Vizag before. The government needs to take precautions to help people in this situation," caretaker Rajesh said.
Meanwhile, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials in Hyderabad said that despite some rain predicted, the acute heat could continue for the next two weeks.
More From This Section
"In coastal Andhra Pradesh, the temperature is between 43 and 47 degree centigrade. In Telangana (a neighbouring state), most of the places recorded around 40 to 45 degree centigrade. Still heat wave conditions are continuing in both states. So it will further continue today and tomorrow most probably the heat wave will continue," said Assistant Director of the Indian Meteorological Department, M Narasimha Rao.
The twin southern states have so far been the worst affected by the heat wave this year.
"After that, we will get some relief so coastal areas and Telangana will get some rain. So temperature may fall by three to four degrees after two days. So some relief from the heat though. This is only temporary relief. This type of heating... this type of heating will continue 'til the onset of monsoon over the other states," Rao said.
The government of Andhra Pradesh last week declared the situation caused by heat wave alarming and appealed to people not to venture out between 11am and 4 pm.
The chief minister of the state also announced an aid of 1 lakh rupees for the families of victims of heat wave.