Extreme heatwave hits A.P. as Vijayawada north soars to 47.3°C

There appeared to be no break in sight for people from extreme heat in central Andhra Pradesh as the day’s highest temperature stood at 47.7°C on Tuesday.

While the highest temperature was recorded at Mulukuduru in Guntur district (47.7°C), other places that recorded temperatures above 47°C were Gurazala in Palnadu district (47.6°C), Piduguralla in Palnadu (47.4°C), Kanchikacherla and Vijayawada north in NTR district and Inkollu in Bapatla district (47.3°C) and Amaravati (47°C).

Meanwhile, Vijayawada East and Central areas recorded 45.1°C and Vijaywada West 44.7°C respectively.

Vijayawada felt like a furnace even at 7 p.m. as the temperatures stood at 40°C. A few places in Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Nandyal and YSR Kadapa districts also hovered around 40°C at 7 p.m., according to real-time weather information available on the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES).

On Tuesday, severe heatwaves were recorded in 15 mandals, while heatwaves were recorded in 116 mandals, according to A.P. State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA). Temperatures above 44°C were recorded in 125 mandals across 14 districts.

According to weather experts, extreme heat has been pushing people to the brink as a human body can tolerate an environmental temperature of 37°C. In Vijayawada, many busy junctions continue to remain deserted, while the informal sector workers continue to go about their work out of compulsion.

While there are reports about heatstroke deaths, both officials from the State’s Health Department and Disaster Management Authority stated that Andhra Pradesh has not reported any deaths so far.

Orange alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, remain in place for central A.P. and a few northern region until May 29. The APSDMA said that severe heatwave conditions are likely in 68 mandals on May 27 (Wednesday). Polavaram, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, West Godavari, and Eluru districts may be the most affected.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms alerts were issued to a few districts in Rayalaseema and nothern part on Tuesday. As of 7 p.m., only light showers were recorded in these places, according to the DES.