Heatwave grips Telangana: Nalgonda peaks at 46.6⁰ C; Hyderabad at 43.4⁰ C

Hyderabad: As the mercury climbs past 46⁰ Celsius, Telangana finds itself in the grip of one of the most severe summer seasons in recent years, according to weather experts.

The scorching heat shows no signs of relenting, with a prolonged heatwave forecasted to persist through the first week of May. Relief in the form of scattered rainfall is predicted only after this period, offering a temporary respite from the oppressive heat.

Blistering conditions across districts

On Thursday, 11 districts in Telangana witnessed blistering temperatures exceeding 46⁰ Celsius, painting a grim picture of the prevailing weather conditions. Nalgonda emerged as the hottest district, recording a staggering 46.6⁰ Celsius—the highest temperature of the season thus far.

Close on its heels were Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Suryapet, each registering 46.5⁰ Celsius, as per data from the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS). Other districts like Jagtial, Peddapalli, and Khammam weren’t far behind, with temperatures hovering around 46.4⁰ Celsius.

Impact on Hyderabad

The scorching temperatures have also taken their toll on Hyderabad, with the city recording its highest temperature of the season at 43.4⁰ Celsius. Mercury levels have consistently remained above 42 degrees across Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, exacerbating the discomfort for residents.

Heatwave-related casualties

Tragically, Telangana has already reported one heatwave-related fatality in Peddapalli district, according to the state health department. On average, the state witnesses between 5 to 8 heatwave-related deaths annually, underscoring the severity of the situation.

Expert insights

Balaji Tarini, an independent weather expert, highlighted that this April marked one of the hottest on record for Hyderabad, second only to 2020.

On X (formerly known as Twitter)m he said, “Last year was relatively cooler, with the maximum temperature reaching 39.4⁰ Celsius. However, this year, temperatures have soared to 42.3⁰ Celsius, making it a particularly sweltering April.”

Experts attribute the surge in temperatures to anti-cyclonic activity and the looming spectre of climate change.

Relief from May 5 to 11

Mahesh Palawat from Skymet emphasised, “The next five days are expected to bring very hot and dry winds sweeping across the state. However, there is a glimmer of hope as sporadic rainfall is anticipated from May 5 to May 11, providing a brief respite from the intense heatwave.”

As Telangana grapples with the relentless heatwave, attention turns to measures aimed at mitigating its impact and adapting to the evolving climate patterns.

With climate change looming large, concerted efforts are needed to address the root causes of such extreme weather events and safeguard the well-being of communities across the region.