Rohini Karthi To Raise Mercury Levels

Anantapur: Rising temperatures are expected across Andhra Pradesh for about a week during Rohini Karthi, with heat conditions likely to persist until the onset of the southwest monsoon, officials and experts said.

In Anantapur, mercury levels had touched alarmingly high levels of up to 48°C this summer. Though temperatures have eased in several districts in recent days, they are expected to rise again until June 7.

Rohini Karthi began at 8.24 pm on Monday, according to the Hindu almanac (Panchangam). The period marks the Sun’s entry into the Rohini star constellation and is traditionally associated with peak summer conditions in the region.

Elders describe the intensity of the season with the saying, “Even grinding stones crack during Rohini,” indicating the severity of heat during this phase.

Officials said the Sun’s rays fall more directly on the Earth during this period, leading to sustained high temperatures. Rohini Karthi is considered one of the hottest phases of summer, particularly in Rayalaseema, where daytime temperatures tend to rise sharply.

The Panchangam states that Mrigasira Karthi will begin from June 8, by which time the southwest monsoon is expected to advance further, bringing rainfall and a gradual fall in temperatures.

Rekulakunta centre scientist Narayana Swamy said mercury levels are likely to rise in several areas, except where intermittent rainfall occurs. He noted that although temperatures had dipped in the last three days, readings increased again on Monday, with 41.84°C recorded at Dornipadu and 41.51°C at Gospadu in Nandyal district.

In Anantapur district, temperatures had remained below 35°C for the past three days due to scattered showers, but have now begun rising towards 40°C again.

He said temperatures may continue to increase until the end of the month and are expected to decline once the southwest monsoon becomes active in the region.

Analyst and former JNTU Anantapur professor Dr K Prahlada Rao observed that humidity and suffocation levels have increased despite fluctuations in temperature. He said pollution was also impacting climatic conditions, noting visible changes compared to earlier decades.