Heat wave scorches Telugu States as rain relief looms

metro india news  I Hyderabad/Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana continue to reel under intense heatwave conditions, with temperatures soaring beyond 45 degrees Celsius in several districts even as weather agencies forecast pre-monsoon rains and thunderstorms later this week.

In Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) warned that severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist for the next three days. Chityala in East Godavari district recorded the season’s highest temperature of 48.3 degrees Celsius, while Tanuku in West Godavari and Piduguralla in Palnadu touched 48.1 degrees Celsius each.

Temperatures crossed 45 degrees Celsius in multiple districts, with 174 mandals across 17 districts recording above 44 degrees Celsius. APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain advised people to avoid travel between 11 am and 4 pm and take precautions against dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

The APSDMA forecast severe heatwave conditions in dozens of mandals over the next two days. Temperatures between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius are likely in parts of Konaseema, East and West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu and Prakasam districts.

At the same time, a trough extending from Odisha to North Andhra is expected to trigger light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in isolated districts, including Prakasam, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, Chittoor and Kadapa. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad, has forecast the onset of pre-monsoon thundershowers across Telangana from May 28, offering possible relief from the prevailing heatwave.

According to the IMD, maximum temperatures in most Telangana districts are expected to remain between 41 degrees Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius till Wednesday before gradually declining by 2–3 degrees Celsius over the following days.

Districts likely to witness temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius include Bhadradri Kothagudem, Hanumakonda, Karimnagar, Khammam, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Nirmal and Peddapalle.

From Thursday onwards, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are likely across several parts of Telangana, including Hyderabad, Warangal, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Siddipet and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts.

Authorities in both States have urged people, particularly the elderly, pregnant women and those with existing health conditions, to remain indoors during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated and exercise caution during thunderstorms.