An acute heatwave has gripped parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the past couple of weeks. At least 111 people have died due to sunstroke in during last few days alone. As many as 66 people died in Telangana while 45 succumbed in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Most of the deaths were reported during last one week. According to Telangana's disaster management department, Mahabubnagar district accounted for highest number of deaths at 28, while 11 people died in Medak district.

According to the met department, the temperature was above normal at many places over Rayalaseema and appreciably above normal at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The highest maximum temperature of 42 degree Celsius was recorded at Anantapur and Nandyal.

Disaster Management Commissioner Dhanunjaya Reddy on Thursday briefed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of the situation and the steps taken to brace the heat wave. He said the district administration along with the medical and health department has undertaken a massive awareness campaign and makeshift medical camps.

Oral rehydration salts and intravenous fluids have been made available at public places. Construction workers and labourers have been instructed not to work between 12 pm to 3 pm.

Officials said all precautionary measures were taking in view of the forecast that the summer will be warmer. The heat wave had claimed nearly 2,000 lives in the two states last year.