The city sweated it out on Tuesday as mercury levels soared to 39°C — the highest recorded so far this summer.
Motorcyclists battled hot winds as they rode across city streets under a scorching sun, with the heat getting intense right from 10 a.m.
The maximum temperature recorded at Visakhapatnam Airport was 38.6°C on Tuesday, while on Monday it was 37.6°C.
Tuesday’s temperature was almost 4°C above normal, with 35°C being the normal temperature in the airport area for this time of the year.
The maximum temperature at Waltair (city areas closer to the coast) was lower at 33.5°C on Tuesday.
While temperatures are generally lower in the coastal areas, the felt heat is on the higher side due to the intense humidity which causes a lot of discomfort. The sea breeze, which sets in around noon, helps prevent a rise in temperature but humidity levels are unaffected.
Temperatures in the inland areas are slightly higher, but they too rarely go beyond the criteria required to be declared as a heatwave. In recent years, some coastal areas are being affected due to the absence of the sea breeze.
Heatwave criteria
A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40°C in the plains, 37°C in coastal areas and at least 30°C or more in hilly regions.
Apart from this, the deviation in maximum temperature for an area in the plains and in coastal areas should exceed normal by over 5°C to be declared as a heatwave. If the deviation is over 7°C, a severe heatwave will be declared.
To be declared as a heatwave, the above criteria must be met for at least two consecutive days.
“The maximum temperature recorded at Visakhapatnam Airport for the month of April was 39.8°C on April 17. However, on April 16 and 18, the temperature was 37°C. In 2017, the maximum temperature in April did not exceed 37°C. But a steady temperature of 37°C was recorded for five days on April 23, 24, 27, 28 and 29,” Meteorologist G.S.N.L. Murthy told The Hindu on Tuesday.