Telangana Govt. to Give Rs 4 Lakh to Heatwave Victims Families, notifies heatwave as State-specific disaster
The Telangana government has officially declared heatwave and sunstroke as a “State-Specific Disaster” and announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of victims who die due to heat-related causes. This decision aims to provide enhanced financial relief under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, replacing the earlier Rs 50,000 assistance under the Apadbandhu scheme, which was considered insufficient, especially for vulnerable groups like outdoor workers, the elderly, women, and children.
The government order was issued on April 15, 2025, recognizing heat stroke as a life-threatening condition caused by extreme temperatures and prolonged exposure to heat.
Except for five districts, all 28 districts in Telangana experienced at least 15 days of heatwave in 2024, with some districts facing over 30 days of heatwave conditions.
The move acknowledges heatwaves as a “hidden hazard” with under-reported deaths and severe impacts, especially among vulnerable populations.
District Collectors are tasked with ensuring proper diagnosis of heat-related deaths based on exposure history and exclusion of other causes.
The government has also prepared district-specific heatwave action plans, including measures like providing ORS packets, drinking water kiosks, and advisories to mitigate heatwave effects.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts above-normal heatwave days in Telangana and other parts of India during the April-June 2025 hot weather season.
This policy aligns Telangana with other states like Tamil Nadu, which have also notified heatwaves as state-specific disasters and provide similar compensation to affected families.
Telangana’s government has taken a significant step to recognize the severity of heatwaves by declaring them a state-specific disaster and increasing compensation to Rs 4 lakh for families of heatwave victims, aiming to provide better support and raise awareness about this growing climate threat.
