VISAKHAPATNAM: A severe heatwave continued to grip Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, with several parts of the state recording extreme temperatures and weather agencies issuing fresh warnings. Piduguralla in Palnadu district emerged as the hottest location at 48.1 degrees Celsius, the highest recorded this summer. It was followed by Vetapalem and Nandiwada at 47.6 degrees Celsius each, Thorragudipadu and Addanki at 47.4 degrees Celsius, and Allipalli at 47.3 degrees Celsius, according to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority.
At least 17 places recorded temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or above, while the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority said day temperatures crossed 45 degrees Celsius in as many as 18 districts. Earlier, Bapatla recorded 46.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Jangamaheswarapuram at 46 degrees Celsius, Kavali at 45.8 degrees Celsius, Amaravati at 45.7 degrees Celsius, Gannavaram at 45.2 degrees Celsius, Nandigama at 44.7 degrees Celsius, Ongole at 44.6 degrees Celsius, and Nellore at 44.1 degrees Celsius.
Most other parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema saw temperatures ranging between 40 degrees Celsius and 43 degrees Celsius, about 2 to 3 degrees above normal. According to the India Meteorological Department in Amaravati, Bapatla, Jangamaheswarapuram, Kavali, Narsapur, Gannavaram, and Amaravati experienced severe heatwave conditions.
The intense heat has led to a visible drop in movement, with streets in both urban and rural areas wearing a deserted look during afternoon hours. In cities, residents are also facing the urban heat island effect, where dense concrete infrastructure traps heat, making conditions harsher than in surrounding rural areas.
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority managing director Prakhar Jain said heat intensity has reached severe levels in several parts of the state. He warned that severe heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in 15 mandals and heatwave conditions in as many as 219 mandals on Friday. People have been advised to avoid travel between 11 am and 4 pm.
The IMD has issued a severe heatwave alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next four to five days. Severe conditions are likely at isolated places in East Godavari, Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, NTR, Krishna, Palnadu, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore districts from May 22 to 25. Heatwave conditions are also expected in Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalle, and Kakinada districts during the same period. In Rayalaseema, maximum temperatures are likely to remain between 41 degrees Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius over the next five days.
