Heatwave Grips AP, Temperatures Soar Above 35°C, Thunderstorms Likely

Visakhapatnam: A severe heatwave continues to scorch several districts of Andhra Pradesh, with maximum temperatures exceeding 35°C across most districts, according to an IMD bulletin on Wednesday.

Anantapur recorded the highest temperature in the state at 41.0°C, while Nandyal and Kurnool also experienced extreme heat conditions at 39.0°C and 38.9°C respectively.

In Visakhapatnam, residents faced a maximum temperature of 34.9°C, which is significantly higher -- 3.2°C above the seasonal average.

Despite the overall hot conditions, some areas experienced slight relief. Ongole saw a notable drop of 2.4°C, bringing its maximum temperature down to 33.6°C. Kavali also recorded a decrease of 1.9°C, resulting in a temperature of 36.2°C. Jangamaheshwarapuram and Kurnool noted a drop of 1.5°C each.

IMD identified several weather systems affecting the region and said the trough in westerlies from Sikkim to north Odisha now runs across West Bengal and Jharkhand between 3.1 and 5.8km above mean sea level. Also, the upper air cyclonic circulation previously observed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Tamil Nadu at 1.5km above mean sea level has become less marked.

The weatherman forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, south coastal AP and Rayalaseema from April 16 to 20. These thunderstorms will be accompanied by gusty winds with speeds of 40-50kmph during the first two days, reducing to 30-40kmph for the following three days.

IMD predicts no major changes in maximum temperatures, but a gradual rise of 2-4°C is expected from April 17 to 20 across NCAP, Yanam and SCAP. Rayalaseema will see a similar trend, with temperatures rising by 2-3°C for the same period. Temperatures are expected to stabilize with no large changes forecast for April 21 and 22.