Hyderabad: Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar and Khammam districts are experiencing heatwave conditions that will likely extend to April 20 (Thursday).
An early alert to citizens of Telangana state tells them to expect day temperatures at 45° Celcius across a majority of the districts. Hyderabad may cross 43 degrees in May, according to the local weather bureau.
The weather bureau has warned that heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated places in all the districts of the state. Maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal by 2 to 4 degrees and above 42 degrees at many places in Telangana.
Absence of clouds adds to TS woes
The highest temperature in the state was 44.5 degrees Celsius recorded at Adilabad on Tuesday, followed by Mahabubnagar at 44 degrees, Nizamabad at 43.7, and Medak at 43.2. Hyderabad was a baking 42.2 degrees.
Director of the Indian Meteorological department, Y.K. Reddy, said that the heat wave will persist for another two days because the state is receiving winds from a north-easterly direction.
“Usually, when the wind direction is north-easterly, dry and hot winds blow into the state, thus the local area gets heated up. Secondly, absence of clouds and clear skies helps the ground to receive maximum sun radiation. It is also due to climate change,” Mr Reddy said.
As a result of heatwave, people and animals are at risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Health experts say staying hydrated and avoiding extended exposure to the sun and heat during the daytime are crucial, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
May prediction for city
Hyderabad has rarely crossed 44-degrees, but local weather bureau officials have announced that temperatures may reach 44 degrees Celsius by mid-May. "In 2016, Hyderabad recorded 43 degrees in April, the highest in 43 years. This year the city has already recorded 43 degrees on April 17. More days in May will record above 42 degrees," said Mr Reddy.
March was a hot month this year, with abnormally high temperatures towards the month-end - 40.8 degrees on March 31, the highest temperature recorded in March.
A similar pattern of rising temperatures is already being observed in April, touching 43 degrees, while the rest of the state swelters at above 44 degrees.
