In good news for residents in Hyderabad and Telangana, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the monsoon is most likely hit the state during the coming weekend.
"Heavy rain very likely to occur at isolated places over Telangana," the IMD alert, which is in place from 8:30 am on June 21 to 8:30 am on June 24 states.
However, there is unlikely to be much respite on Friday as the IMD also said that heat wave conditions were very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in the districts of Nizamabad, Medak, Khammam, Karimnagar and Nirmal.
"Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds (30 to 40 kmph) and lightning very likely to occur at isolated places over Telangana," the IMD added in its bulletin.
The IMD had earlier predicted that the monsoon would arrive by June 13, but the occurrence of a Low-Pressure Area over the Arabian sea which developed into Cyclone Vayu, sucked out the moisture and also delayed the rains in the state.
Meanwhile, the temperature continued to remain above 40 degree Celsius in many parts of the state.
According to data released by the IMD, Ramagundam on Wednesday witnessed a maximum temperature of 41.4 degree Celsius, a departure of 6.2 degrees from normal. While the maximum temperature in Khammam shot up to 42.4 degree Celsius, Hanamkonda saw the mercury rise to 41 degrees. In Adilabad district, the maximum temperature reported on Wedneesday was 40.5 degrees.
The temperature in Hyderabad also remained high as Wednesday saw the city's maximum temperature rise up to 38.4 degree Celsius, a departure of 5.1 degree Celsius from normal.
The severe heat wave conditions affected normal life in the state, with authorities issuing several warning asking people to protect themselves especially in the afternoons.
The IMD had forecasted that the state would receive 96 % rainfall his monsoon season that amounts to 717 mm of rainfall.