Heatwave dampens campaign in Telugu states as election nears conclusion
There is barely one week left in the campaign, and the intense heat wave that is affecting telangana and andhra pradesh is affecting the political parties' canvassing efforts. With a few locations in andhra pradesh seeing high temperatures above 47 degrees Celsius, leaders of the major parties and the candidates are finding it difficult to manage the campaign.
A few people have already died as a result of the heat wave in both telugu states. The severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist for the next week, according to the Meteorological Office's prediction.
Health officials in both states have previously advised the public to stay out of the sun, particularly between noon and three o'clock in the afternoon. But the effects of the heat are felt as early as 10 a.m. when the intense sun forces many people to stay inside, and they last until 5 p.m.
Health officials in both states have previously advised the public to stay out of the sun, particularly between noon and three o'clock in the afternoon. But the effects of the heat are felt as early as 10 a.m. when the intense sun forces many people to stay inside, and they last until 5 p.m.
In andhra pradesh, the highest temperature is setting new records every day. On Friday, the temperature in a few locations in the Nandyal area hit 47.7 degrees Celsius. A few locations in the districts of ysr kadapa and prakasam also had maximum temperatures above 47 degrees.
The candidates have hardly had hours to conduct their campaigns because of the intense heat. In the morning, they are spotted visiting their areas to engage voters. They go on padayatras in the early morning or late at night.
The parties are also having a very difficult time getting people to turn up for the public gatherings of its leading figures. Parties are also being forced by this to reduce the amount of meetings, roadshows, and rallies they hold.
The candidates have hardly had hours to conduct their campaigns because of the intense heat. In the morning, they are spotted visiting their areas to engage voters. They go on padayatras in the early morning or late at night.
The parties are also having a very difficult time getting people to turn up for the public gatherings of its leading figures. Parties are also being forced by this to reduce the amount of meetings, roadshows, and rallies they hold.
On May 13, there will be simultaneous elections for the 25 lok sabha seats and the 175-member andhra pradesh Assembly. All 19 of Telangana's lok sabha seats will have voting on the same day.
For national leaders and prominent congress and bjp campaigners, time is of the essence. They may be seen hurriedly moving between open meetings.
At the public meetings, the parties are setting up big tents to shield the attendees from the intense sun.
A few locations in telangana have recorded maximum temperatures above 46 degrees Celsius. The parties have had to change their campaign schedules because of the intense heat.
For national leaders and prominent congress and bjp campaigners, time is of the essence. They may be seen hurriedly moving between open meetings.
At the public meetings, the parties are setting up big tents to shield the attendees from the intense sun.
A few locations in telangana have recorded maximum temperatures above 46 degrees Celsius. The parties have had to change their campaign schedules because of the intense heat.
A. revanth Reddy, the chief minister of telangana, speaks at three to four public gatherings each day. He is circling the constituencies in a helicopter.
K. chandrasekhar Rao, the head of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), limits his campaign to the evenings. The former chief minister currently speaks at one or two public gatherings every day while on bus yatra.
The bjp candidate from the Chevella constituency, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, has been campaigning in the area for about two months. He told IANS that he is beginning his campaign early because of the heatwave. For the candidates, covering the constituency's villages dispersed over rural ranga reddy district, which data-borders Hyderabad, is a difficult assignment.
K. chandrasekhar Rao, the head of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), limits his campaign to the evenings. The former chief minister currently speaks at one or two public gatherings every day while on bus yatra.
The bjp candidate from the Chevella constituency, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, has been campaigning in the area for about two months. He told IANS that he is beginning his campaign early because of the heatwave. For the candidates, covering the constituency's villages dispersed over rural ranga reddy district, which data-borders Hyderabad, is a difficult assignment.
Every day, N. Chandrababu Naidu, the head of the telugu desam party (TDP) and a former chief minister, travels by helicopter to speak at public gatherings and conduct road shows in two to three districts.
But the only events drawing large audiences are the road performances or public gatherings in the evening and night.
Since the leaders are not allowed to campaign after 10 p.m., they are being careful not to break the model code of behaviour.
But the only events drawing large audiences are the road performances or public gatherings in the evening and night.
Since the leaders are not allowed to campaign after 10 p.m., they are being careful not to break the model code of behaviour.