Weather to be extremely hot and humid for at least another two days

The prevailing heat wave condition in coastal Andhra Pradesh has become a cause of concern for the government, as many people are dying under its impact. At least 17 persons are reported to have died due to sunstroke in the last 48 hours, and the A.P. State Disaster Management Authority (AP-SDMA) has predicted that the weather could be extremely hot and humid for at least another two days.

Twelve persons died in Nellore district followed by three in Guntur and two in West Godavari.

Unconfirmed reports

The government is gathering daily reports from the districts and putting out the larger picture. There are unconfirmed reports that more than 50 people died in the last 48 hours.

With inputs from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the SDMA issued a heat wave warning and also forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at a few places.

According to official information, 90 mandals experienced severe heat wave on Wednesday and 111 mandals had a moderate heat wave. Summer has been particularly harsh in East and West Godavari followed by Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts. The maximum temperatures have been hovering around 45 degrees Celsius at many places and there is expected to be no reprieve from the scorching heat for a couple of days.

The SDMA suggested to the people to venture out only in the morning and evenings to escape the simmering heat. The SDMA recently predicted that the temperatures this summer could touch 48 degrees Celsius and the El Nino might not have the kind of devastating impact it was feared to. This is, however, prone to change as the season progresses.

Thunderbolt warning

Meanwhile, the SDMA issued specific warnings of thunderbolt to the residents of Narsipatnam and Madugula (Visakhapatnam district), Bhupatipalli village in Markapur mandal of Prakasam district, Tirumala, Mittapalem, Ramakuppam, Venkatagirikota, Kuppam and Chandragiri (Chittoor) and in some parts of Nellore district.