Andhra Pradesh boils at 46°C, severe heatwave alert till May 7

VISAKHAPATNAM: After Cyclone Fani, people in Andhra Pradesh now have to face severe heatwave conditions from Saturday. A ‘red alert’ has been issued in the state by the weather department, owing to severe heatwave conditions, which will last till May 7.
For the first time this summer, temperatures have touched a maximum of 46° Celsius, said India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials.
On Saturday, a total of 404 locations across the 13 districts registered a maximum temperature of 40°C and above, while 573 locations registered temperatures between 35°C and 40°C.
YK Reddy, director of IMD, Hyderabad, said the IMD has issued a warning over the severe heatwave, which is expected to prevail across some parts of the state till May 7.
Reddy said the severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures of 40°C and above, would continue to prevail across almost all districts, including Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari and Nellore, apart from the four Rayalaseema districts.
According to sources, Polavaram mandal in West Godvari district registered the highest temperature in the state, with a temperature of 45.89°C, followed by Mangalagiri in Guntur district at 45.64°C.
“Around 50 locations across the state registered severe heatwaves with temperatures between 45°C-46°C on Saturday. This is attributed to the clear sky under the influence of Cyclone Fani. The cyclone takes up the moisture content in the atmosphere,” said a senior IMD official.
IMD director, K Nagaratna, advised people to not spend time outdoors during the day.
“People should avoid outdoor physical activity from 11 am to 3 pm. If unavoidable, they are advised to take up only light physical activity under the hot sun,” Nagaratna said.