With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a warning about a temperature rise from March 15 to 19 over north Interior Karnataka, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday urged people to take precautionary measures and avoid traveling outside between 12 noon and 3 pm. Ainapur Hobli village in the Kalaburagi district recorded the highest temperature in the last 24 hours at 42.8 degrees Celsius.

Speaking in Raichur, Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "As the heat is increasing, the government will decide on revising the work timings of government offices. Officers should avoid field visits in the afternoon. Government employees should not go outside between 12 noon and 3 pm. Work should be scheduled for the morning or evening. Temperatures in Raichur district are nearing 43 to 44 degrees Celsius."