NEW DELHI: Twenty people have died due to heatstroke across four states while 4,853 cases of heatstroke were reported across country since March 1 this year, home ministry informed Lok Sabha Tuesday. Maharashtra recorded the highest number of fatalities and Telangana most heatwaves, junior home minister Nityanand Rai said. Delhi reported 32 heatstroke cases and no deaths.Rai stated MHA has, acting on the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, included heatwave and lightning in the list of notified natural calamities under the operational guidelines for administration of SDRF and NDRF for the 2026-31 award period.He added that a policy framework for providing relief assistance through SDRF and NDRF is now in place.
