Indications This Summer Will Be Severe

Hyderabad: The state is experiencing an intense heatwave, with multiple districts recording temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday, day two of the heatwave. According to the Telangana Development Planning Society, Pochara in Adilabad was the hottest location, recording 40.6°C. Other severely affected areas include Madhira in Khammam, Kannepalli in Mancherial, Nasrullabad in Kamareddy, and Ginnedari in Kumuram Bheem, all registering 40.4°C. Several other districts also crossed the 40°C mark, including Ailapur in Jagtial (40.3°C), Kataram in Jayashankar (40.3°C), Bhadradri Kothagudem’s Sub Collector Office (40.3°C), and Kondamallapally in Nalgonda (40.2°C). Lakmapoor in Nizamabad (40.2°C), Kalvacherla in Peddapalli (40.2°C), and Dagada in Wanaparthy (40.0°C) also faced extreme heat.

This is a significant rise from last year, when most areas in Telangana saw increased temperatures around this time. For example, in 2024, the highest temperature recorded on this date was 41.0°C in Alampur (Jogulamba Gadwal), whereas this year, more locations are consistently recording 40°C+ temperatures. In comparison, several regions, such as Bhiknoor in Kamareddy, Vankulam in Kumuram Bheem, and Mahadevpur in Jayashankar, were relatively cooler last year, with temperatures ranging from 38.7°C to 39.9°C.

Hyderabad is also feeling the heat, with several areas approaching 39°C. The highest temperatures recorded in the city on Thursday include Kushiguda (38.9°C), Musheerabad (38.9°C), Defence Colony in Hayathnagar (38.8°C), Madhapur (38.7°C), and the University of Hyderabad (38.2°C). This is a sharp rise compared to last year, when many of these locations had temperatures in the mid-30s around the same time.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, warning that temperatures could rise further by 2-3°C in the coming days, with some areas potentially touching 44°C by March 18. Experts caution that the early arrival of high temperatures could mean an even harsher summer ahead.

Authorities are advising residents to take precautions as extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other health risks. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches, rapid heartbeat, and dry skin. Officials recommend avoiding outdoor activities between 12 pm and 3 pm, staying hydrated, and wearing loose, breathable clothing. Health centres are on high alert, and people are being urged to seek medical attention at the first sign of heat-related illness. With temperatures expected to rise further, Telangana is bracing for a long and severe summer.

Amid discussions about rising temperatures and unusually intense summers, weather blogger T. Balaji dismissed the concerns as exaggerated, stating that mid-March temperatures in South India are typical for this time of year. “Don’t hype normal things for views,” he remarked, adding that heat waves in the South and gradual warming in the North are nothing unusual. He explained that summers are naturally hot and intense, and while the years 2020-2023 were relatively mild due to La Niña, the region has been experiencing a return to normal summer heat since last year.