Scattered rainfall and cloudy sky for a long time on Monday set the city cool giving much-needed respite to the people. Moderate rainfall occurred in Gunadala, Ramavarappadu and other areas towards Gannavaram while the rest of the city witnessed scattered rainfall briefly in the afternoon.
The maximum temperature in the city on Monday, according to the India Meteorology Department (IMD) was just 34.8 degrees Celsius, nearly 8 degrees down from Sunday's maximum temperature and four degrees negative departure with the normal temperature.
The city had been suffering hot weather as the mercury soared above the 40 degrees Celsius mark constantly for the past couple of weeks. Monday's weather came as a breather for the people as well as the activitists who took part in meetings and rallies that were held to mark May Day celebrations.
The IMD predicts that rain or thunder showers would occur towards afternoon or evening of Tuesday and Wednesday.
High temperatures
May witnesses highest temperatures of the summer season in the city every year. A record 48.8 degrees Celsius of maximum temperature was recorded in May 2002 in the city. In the last 10 years, 47.3 degrees Celsius was the highest recorded temperature in May 2015.
The temperature in other cities of the State except Kurnool was also recorded below the 40 degrees Celsius. Only four mandals in four different districts suffered heat wave condition on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday too, there would be no heat wave impact on the State.
On the other hand, summer was at its peak in some mandals of Guntur, Nellore, Prakasam and other districts. Rompicherla in Guntur and Chejerla in Nellore districts witnessed the highest maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees Celsius on Monday.
2 farmers electrocuted
Guntur Staff Reporter adds:
A short spell of heavy rain accompanied by gales wreaked havoc in various places of the district. Two farmers were electrocuted and seven workers were injured in incidents in different parts of the district on Monday evening after a short spell of heavy downpour.
Sanam Neelakoteswara Rao, a farmer from Atchampet mandal, was electrocuted while he was covering the chilli produce with a plastic sheet. Another man died at Morjampadu village in Machavaram mandal.
In a related incident, four labourers were injured as they received severe shock while working at a site near a canal at Chirumamilla village in Nadendla mandal. Those who were injured were rescued by fellow workers.
At Yanamadala village in the Prathipadu constituency, some houses caught fire after sparks from palm trees fell on them. No causalities were reported. The short spell of rain also caught chilli farmers by surprise. Farmers at the Guntur Market Yard rushed to cover the chilli with tarpaulin sheets.
