The heatwave conditions or hot spell, being experienced in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is due to flow of hot, dry north westerly winds from central parts of India from May 1 to 21.
The heatwave conditions prevailed from May 15 to 19 over coastal Andhra Pradesh, abated temporarily from May 20. The hot spell, however, continues to prevail with day temperatures hovering between 40 and 44 degrees Celsius over south coastal AP and 38 to 41 degree C over north coastal AP.
Telangana continues to experience heatwave conditions from May 15 with varying degrees with the worst-affected districts being Adilabad, Nalgonda, Khammam and Karimnagar.
“The temporary abatement of heat wave conditions over coastal Andhra Pradesh can be explained by the shift of pressure trough line (delineated weather maps) westwards from May 20.
It had extended from May 15 to 19 from Chattigarh to south Tamil Nadu across west central bay of south AP coast but shifted its position across Rayalaseema and Telangana from May 20,” says former Director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) P.V. Rama Rao, who analysed the data obtained from the IMD. During the period, the worst-affected districts of A.P. were Guntur and Krishna followed by Prakasam and Nellore. Machilipatnam, Bapatla and Vijayawada Meteorological Observatories recorded the maximum temperature of 47 degrees C on May 18, says Mr. Rama Rao.
The hot spell with maximum temperatures ranging from 40 to 44 degrees C prevailed over Rayalaseema from May 1 onwards.
No heatwave
However, no heatwave conditions were declared over Rayalaseema as the recorded maximum temperature does not satisfy the criteria of heatwave conditions, except in Kurnool district, where Nandyal recorded maximum temperature of 45 degrees C on May 20 with a departure of 5 degree C above the normal temperature.
Hyderabad Staff reporter adds:
On Sunday, the highest temperature of 44.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Ramagundam followed by 44.4 degrees in Nalgonda. Hyderabad recorded 42 degrees. Though there was the possibility of light rainfall late in the evening, the IMD forecast sunny days for rest of the week.
In Mancherial district, an 18-year old beedi leaf collector from Bellampalli mandal, Ramtenki Rojarani, died of sunstroke. She suffered dehydration after collecting beedi leaves in hot sun.
According to Skymet Weather, a trough is moving east towards Telangana which may bring some south-easterly moisture-carrying winds to cause isolated rain and lower temperature in some places.
As of Sunday, most of the State received dry winds from north which prevented a dip in mercury in entire Telangana region.
