Severe heat wave conditions have hit parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in India. On May 17, the temperature reached 46 degrees Celsius in some areas of Nellore and Tirupati districts in Andhra, while Julurpad in Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district recorded 46.4 degrees. On May 18, temperatures hit 45 degrees in parts of Palnadu, Srikakulam, Nellore and Kadapa districts in Andhra Pradesh, according to the State Disaster Management Authority. They are expected to rise to 46 degrees in some places in the coming days. Health officials have advised citizens to stay hydrated and avoid direct sunlight.
To tackle the high temperatures, officials have set up cool water stations and altered the working hours for government field staff and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act workers. Suryapet Municipality Commissioner P Ramanjula Reddy said that the work timings of field staff had been changed so they could finish work early. “All the field staff will now work from 5 am to 1 pm. We have also established water stations at important junctions for public use,” he said.
On May 17, some places in Jayashankar Bhupalapally and Khammam districts in Telangana recorded temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius. The Met Office has forecast dry conditions for Telangana over the next three days. Dr K Nagaratna, head of India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s Hyderabad centre, said that the maximum temperature would exceed 40 degrees in many places, with the highest temperatures above 41 degrees in northern and northeastern Telangana. Hyderabad and adjoining districts are likely to record a maximum temperature of 38-40 degrees Celsius.
In view of the heat wave alert issued for the state by IMD, the Health Department has issued an advisory for citizens. Director of Public Health Dr G Srinivasa Rao advised people to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight and stay indoors as much as possible. In preparation, the government has made arrangements by providing special beds and IV fluids at all public health facilities, and ORS sachets with ANMs/ASHAs/Anganwadi workers to meet any exigencies.
