Heatwave grips Khammam and Warangal districts

Residents in Khammam and Warangal are facing severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures crossing 42 degrees Celsius. Daily life has been disrupted, while coal miners are demanding relief measures, including shift changes and basic facilities, amid rising heat in mining areas

Kothagudem: Residents in erstwhile Khammam and Warangal have been reeling under intense heatwave conditions, with daytime temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius for the past one week.

Aswapuram in Kothagudem recorded a maximum temperature of 42.7 degrees Celsius, while parts of the district witnessed temperatures above 41 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Similarly, Khammam’s Penuballi recorded a temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius, while other parts witnessed temperatures ranging from 39.1 to 41 degrees Celsius.

---

The maximum temperatures recorded in erstwhile Warangal during the day are as follows: Chityal in Bhupalpally 42.4 degrees Celsius, Kazipet in Hanamkonda 42.1 degrees Celsius, Nallabelly in Warangal 42.1 degrees Celsius, Jangaon 41 degrees Celsius and Venkatapuram in Mulugu 42.6 degrees Celsius.

The district officials are cautioning the public not to come out during noon and afternoon hours, as peak heatwave conditions are expected for the next four days. The situation has become tough for elders and children.

Due to the heatwave conditions, the roads are looking deserted during noon and afternoon hours, with the public confining themselves to their homes, while the SCCL coal miners working in opencast mines are taking the brunt.

It was reported that a coal tipper caught fire at Kondapuram coal handling plant in the SCCL’s Manuguru area due to intense heat conditions. The coal miners are asking the management to set up sheds in opencast mines to provide relief from the heat.

The SCCL workers complained that, in light of the intensifying heat, performing their duties during regular working hours in opencast mines has become difficult. They are demanding that work shifts be rescheduled to run from 6 am to 2 pm in accordance with the practice followed every year.

The contract workers requested the management to provide them with buttermilk sachets, as is being done for permanent employees in view of soaring temperatures in the mining areas. They also sought cool drinking water and shade.