Campaigning for second phase of polls ends in UP, polling on 26 April
Two Bollywood stars -- Hema Malini from Mathura and Arun Govil from Meerut -- will try their electoral fortunes in this phase.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday, wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), requesting him for some relaxation in the Model Code of Conduct in the state to carry out drought relief works.
A total of 151 talukas of Maharashtra have been declared drought-hit and the Center has passed a budget of Rs 4714 crore for drought relief in the state.
The letter also mentions that there are earlier examples when the Model Code of Conduct was relaxed in 2009. The CM has requested to allow a cabinet meeting and a visit of ministers to the drought-affected areas for taking stock of the situation and undertake the necessary action as a drought relief measure.
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Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), on Tuesday, issued a Red Alert, the highest warning level, as temperatures soared to up to 47 degree Celsius in some parts of Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region and central India.
IMD Deputy Director General ML Sahu said the alert will remain in place till Wednesday
“There is likelihood of a very severe heat wave in some areas and heat wave in many parts of Vidarbha of eastern Maharashtra and Western Madhya Pradesh, besides heat wave conditions in other regions of central India,” Sahu told IANS.
All the concerned agencies are in a state of full preparedness to tackle any emergencies arising due to the soaring temperatures. People, especially children and senior citizens, have been advised to refrain from going outdoors between 11 am and 4 pm, remain hydrated, avoid aerated drinks and immediately seek medical advice for any heat-related symptoms.
The highest temperatures recorded were in Akola at 46.9 degrees; Nagpur and Amravati both 46.8 degrees; Chandrapur 46.6 degrees; Wardha, Yavatmal and Washim recorded 45 degrees; Gondiya, Buldhana and Gadchiroli recorded 43 degrees.
(With IANS inputs)
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