Home Affairs and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, in view of the forecast of intense heat across the state, has directed officials to take all precautionary measures to prevent loss of human or animal life.
Addressing a review meeting with district collectors and officials of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority at Tadepalli on Tuesday (March 10), the minister said that protecting human lives must be the top priority for all ministries. It also launched the 2026 Heatwave Action Plan.
The minister directed officials to strictly implement the department’s action plans to ensure that there are no heat wave-related deaths. She advised the District Collectors to regularly disseminate the heat wave alerts issued by the Disaster Management Authority and the Real Time Management Society and keep the public informed.
Ms. Anitha said that working hours should be rescheduled to avoid working outside between 12:00 and 16:00. She emphasized the need for special care for workers, the elderly and children. The health department was instructed to have special beds, medicines and ambulances ready in hospitals to treat heat stroke victims.
It also directed officials to set up cooling shelters and drinking water points at bus stands, markets, junctions and tourist spots. NGOs and community groups were encouraged to distribute buttermilk and drinking water.
The minister also ordered firefighters to carry out mandatory inspections of electrical wiring and other fire safety systems in hospitals, hotels and private buildings.
Published – 10 March 2026 21:01 IST
