Prevent heatwave deaths in State, Home Minister directs officials

Considering the forecast of intense heat across the State, Minister for Home Affairs and Disaster Management Vangalapudi Anitha has directed officials to take all precautionary measures to prevent any loss of human or animal lives.

At a review meeting with District Collectors and officials of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority in Tadepalli on Tuesday (March 10), the Minister said protecting human lives must be the top priority for all departments. She also launched the Heat Wave Action Plan 2026.

The Minister instructed officials to strictly implement departmental action plans to ensure that there are no heatwave-related deaths. She advised the District Collectors to regularly disseminate heatwave alerts issued by the Disaster Management Authority and the Real Time Governance Society and keep the public informed.

Ms. Anitha said working hours should be rescheduled to avoid outdoor work between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. She emphasised the need for special care for labourers, the elderly and children. The Health Department was instructed to keep special beds, medicines and ambulances ready in hospitals to treat heatstroke victims.

She also directed officials to set up cooling shelters and drinking water points at bus stands, markets, road junctions and tourist locations. Non-governmental organisations and community groups were encouraged to distribute buttermilk and drinking water.

The Minister further directed the Fire Department to conduct mandatory inspections of electrical wiring and other fire safety systems in hospitals, hotels and private buildings.