India, April 16 -- The Telangana government on Tuesday declared heatwave and sunstroke conditions as "state-specific disaster" and announced an ex gratia of Rs.4 lakh to the families of the victims of such a disaster from the state disaster relief fund (SDRF).

A government order to this effect (GO No. 5) was issued by special chief secretary (revenue-disaster management) Arvind Kumar.

According to the GO, heatwave remains a "hidden hazard" whose impacts are under-recognised due to measurement and valuation challenges. There is under-reporting of deaths and severe impact of heatwaves, especially among the vulnerable sections of the population, including old-aged, women, children and farmers and workers, especially those in the constructi...