Telangana braces for summer heat, mercury might touch 44°C by March-end

Hyderabad: As March unfolds, Telangana finds itself in the grip of an impending scorching summer, with temperatures already surpassing 37°C across the state.

Meteorologists from the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) forecast a relentless climb, anticipating highs of 40-41°C by the beginning of next week, with the mercury expected to soar further as summer progresses.

“The temperatures are now between 35°C and 38°C in most places during the day, and these are going to touch 42°-44°C by the end of this month. We will experience heatwaves throughout Telangana in the coming days which were not there in the last two years,” warned TSDPS weather forecast consultant YV Rama Rao.

Extreme heat might trigger thunderstorms

The Deccan plateau’s higher altitude provides a slight respite for the twin cities, with temperatures expected to be a degree or two lower compared to other regions, including Khammam, Warangal, Nalgonda, and the coal belt.

Rama Rao pointed out that the extreme daytime heat could trigger thunderstorm activity in various places, including the capital region, once the north-south trough activity picks up, covering Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Rayalaseema, etc. This pattern is anticipated throughout the summer season.

Nights to get hotter

The rise in maximum temperatures will not spare the nights with a projected increase of two degrees from the current 20-23°C in the city. Rao advises caution, urging people to avoid outdoor activities between 11 am and 4 pm and emphasising the importance of staying hydrated.

Reflecting on historical data, he noted the highest maximum temperature recorded at 46.3°C in Bayyaram (Mahabubabad) on March 23, 2016. Despite the challenging weather conditions, Rao emphasised that the normal annual monsoon rainfall of 91.9 cm for Telangana may bring relief, with about 5.5 cm expected during this hot season, constituting approximately 6 per cent of the annual rainfall.

Highlighting the current rainfall scenario, he stated, “The cumulative rainfall from June 1, 2023, to March 1, 2024, has been 91.5 cm against the normal 86.4 cm, with a deviation of 6 per cent. Within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, the cumulative rainfall during the same period has been 80 cm compared to a normal of about 76 cm, with a deviation of 5 per cent.”

Telangana residents are advised to brace themselves for a challenging summer ahead and adhere to precautionary measures to combat the rising temperatures.