Andhra swelters: Mercury crosses 45 degree C; Gudur records highest of 45.76 degree C

Vijayawada: For the first time, mercury crossed 45 degree Celsius in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. Vijayawada and Tirupati wore a deserted look as people preferred to stay indoors on Sunday. Weathermen attributed the sudden rise in the temperatures to dry winds.

Tarimela in Anantapur district recorded the highest of 45.53 degree Celsius followed by Buchinaidu Khandri in Chittoor district with 45.53 degree Celsius. Gurzala in Guntur district recorded 45.29 degree Celsius, and Khambalakunta in Kadapa district recorded 45 degree Celsius. Mercury touched 45.61 degrees Celsius at Kalugotla in Kurnool district. Gudur in Nellore district recorded 45.76 degrees Celsius

Tirupati, Anantapur, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Kadapa cities in the state have crossed the 43-degree Celsius mark. Mercury hovered around 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the north coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP). The rural parts in Anakapalle district recorded above 41 degrees Celsius. The fluctuations in the humidity levels are causing great discomfort to the people living in the coastal areas. Some parts of the state witnessed thunderstorm on Sunday evening.

India Meteorological Department- Amaravati said a trough now runs from East Vidarbha to interior Tamil Nadu across Telangana and Rayalaseema at 0.9 km above mean sea level. A cyclonic circulation is likely to form over South Andaman Sea and the neighborhood around May 4. Under its influence, a Low-Pressure Area is likely to form over the same region around 6th May. It is likely to become more marked during the subsequent 24 hours.

IMD said that thunderstorm accompanied by lightning is likely to occur at one or two places in Rayalaseema over two to three days.