The heat wave in Andhra Pradesh seems to continue with even more intensity, with temperatures already hitting 45 degree Celsius in several districts of the state. The Andhra Pradesh Real Time Governance System (RTGS) has issued yet another 5-day heat wave warning across the state from May 25- 29.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority in a release stated “in view of increase in maximum temperature as per the forecast from IMD, district authorities shall take necessary steps and also arrange a campaign to mitigate the heat wave affect".
As per IMD predictions, on May 21, a few places in Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Kurnool will see temperatures between 44-46 degree Celsius. On May 22, a few places in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Kurnool will see temperatures between 43-44 degree Celsius while a few places in East and West Godavari districts, Chittoor and Anantapur will witness temperatures between 41-42 degree Celsius. On May 23, temperatures in Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor and Kurnool will be in the range of 44-45 degree Celsius while other places like East and West Godavari districts, Krishna and Kadapa it will be between 41-43 degree Celsius. On May 24, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, Anantapur and Kurnool will see temperatures between 43-44 degree Celsius. On May 25, temperatures in Prakasam and Kurnool will be in the range of 45-46 degree Celsius.
The Real Time Governance System (RTGS) in Amaravati in its latest weather update said that 11 places in the state witnessed temperatures higher than 45 degree Celsius on Monday. Kurnool saw the highest temperature of 45.84 degree Celsius. Temperatures in several places in Prakasam, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nellore and Chittoor have also crossed 45 degree Celsius. While issuing heat wave warning for state RTGS has also predicted that Rayalaseema region would witness early rains from May 25-27.
Speaking to TNM, Krishna District Medical Health Officer Dr I Ramesh said that necessary measures have been taken to tackle heat wave related health issues. He said, “We distributed ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) to commuters in all the bus stations and railway stations, besides making drinking water available in public places and equipping PHCs with necessary facilities.”
Dr Ramesh added, “We have launched a campaign asking people not to venture out between 11 am and 5pm unless it’s really necessary. For pregnant women in rural areas, regular immunisation medicines are being delivered before 11 am.”
Meanwhile, IMD has also issued a heat wave alert for all districts of Telangana for the coming two days. A statement from IMD-Hyderabad said, “Heat wave conditions very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in all districts of Telangana. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds (30 to 40 kmph) very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Jagtial, Karimanagar, Mancherial, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Wanaparthy and Hyderabad.”
The IMD also stated that heat wave conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in all districts of Telangana on Wednesday (May 22).
The Telangana government officials held a review meeting in Hyderabad on Tuesday to oversee the weather situation in the state.