The Meteorological Department has reportedly issued a three-day heat wave warning from Sunday for Andhra Pradesh.
Temperatures across many parts of the state are expected to be around 40 degree celsius, even though it would feel much hotter.
"While 460 mandals across the 13 districts have to be cautious about the heat index, 195 others in all the coastal districts will have to be extremely cautious. Hence, we appeal to the public to be careful during these three days," a press release from the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) stated.
Already, several places in the two Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra have witnessed temperatures above 40 degree celsius.
The sharp rise in day temperature has forced the people to remain indoors, especially in the afternoon.
Authorities in Telangana and Andhra have prepared an action plan to prevent deaths due to heat wave.
The Rayalaseema region in Andhra is the worst affected, as all four districts - Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur and Chittoor, had crossed 41 degree celsius by the last week of March.
"Kurnool and other surrounding areas generally witness such weather patterns because it is a semi-arid region. It is located in the interior of the state, compared to the coastal Andhra region. As a result, the nature of its soil is dry, and it becomes more drought-prone," Dr K Nagaratna, the scientist in-charge of the Weather Forecasting department at the IMD office in Hyderabad had earlier told TNM.
The IMD declares an official 'heat wave', if there a deviation of more than 5 degrees Celsius from the expected maximum temperature, and if this weather persists for two or three days.
IANS inputs