Sixteen persons have died due to heatstroke across seven districts of Telangana, the Deccan Herald quoted Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy as saying on Saturday.According to district-level reports, four deaths were recorded in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, three each in Warangal Urban, Karimnagar and Nizamabad, and one each in Jogulamba Gadwal, Rangareddy and Suryapet districts.The minister has ordered compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those who died, and said that the amount should be disbursed without delay, the newspaper reported.The India Meteorological Department has warned of increasing temperatures in Telangana over the next few days.In view of the forecast, Reddy has directed district collectors to monitor conditions closely, keep medical services on standby, and ensure that vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women and outdoor workers avoid exposure during peak heat hours.Separately, the IMD forecast that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist across parts of central and northwest India for the next seven days, while parts of eastern and peninsular India may continue to experience high temperatures for three to five days.“Reduction in maximum temperatures likely from May 29 onwards,” the weather agency said.In Delhi and surrounding regions, temperatures are forecast to remain in the range of 43 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius over the next few days. However, a light rain spell is expected on Monday, according to the forecast.The agency also warned of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and parts of northeast and eastern India over the next four to five days, as conditions develop ahead of the southwest monsoon’s expected arrival in Kerala around May 26.The southwest monsoon season generally begins in June and starts to retreat by September. The India Meteorological Department declares the onset of the season when it hits Kerala.In April, the weather agency predicted that the country would experience below-normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season. This is the first time in 11 years that a shortfall in rainfall has been forecast.Edited by Neerad Pandharipande.