IMD warns of 2-day heatwave across Telangana, advises to stay indoors during peak hours

Hyderabad: In the latest weather bulletin, the officials of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have forecast a heatwave for Telangana on 3 April and 4 April. The day temperatures have already seen a spike in Telangana with Badrachalam recording 42.6 degree Celsius, the highest in the state on 2 April, followed by 41.6 degree Celsius at Ramagundam.

The heatwave conditions likely to occur in the districts of Mancherial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapalli, Mulugu, Bhadradri, Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthi, Jogulamba Gadwal and Narayanpet.

The weather bulletin said, "There is an upper air cyclonic circulation over south Chhattisgarh and its surrounding areas which will bring in hot winds. The maximum temperatures are expected to rise from 12 noon to 3 pm and the public is advised not to go outside during that period. Intake of liquid diet, ORS and water is strongly advised. The public is appealed to remain in the shade."

These weather conditions can result in an increased likelihood of illness from high temperatures among people who are either exposed to the sun for a prolonged period or doing heavy work. Vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases should take extra care.

Heat Wave

A heatwave is said to have occurred when the maximum (day temperature) goes above 40 degree Celsius or more. Departure from the normal by an increase in 5 to 6 degree Celsius is considered a heatwave and if the temperatures increases by 7 degree Celsius (47 degree Celsius) then it is a severe heatwave.

Heatwaves reach their highest in the month of May which is also the peak summer month, according to the meteorological calendar. In 2010, the state reported 46 heatwave conditions, followed by 44 in 2019.

Heatstroke deaths

Telangana has reported 1,952 heatstroke deaths between 2008-2020 and witnessed 256 heatwave conditions in a span of 12 years, revealed data provided by the Meteorological Centre, Hyderabad.

Geographically considered as South India, the state falls in a core heat wave zone of the country. The state is away from a coastal region unlike Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, or Odisha on the left and Kerala and Karnataka on the right.

As per the meteorological calendar, Telangana experiences summer between March and May every year. The highest temperature ever recorded was in 1973 where mercury levels in Bhadrachalam shot up to 48.6 degree Celsius. The record hasn't been broken yet.

The districts that witness high temperatures during summer include Adilabad, Bhadrachalam, Hannamkonda, Hyderabad, Khammam, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, and Ramagundam.