Hyderabad: Experts explained that the sudden rise in temperatures was because of hot winds from Rajasthan and Gujarat engulfing the region.
Ramagundam touched a high of 46.8ºC on Thursday, closing in on the decade’s high of 47.2ºC, recorded in 2010. The forecast is that the 47ºC-mark will be breached in the next two days.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Hyderabad recorded a high of 44.3ºC, a touch lower than the maximum recorded in the last 10 years.
As per IMD data, the highest mercury levels in Hyderabad in the last decade was 44.5ºC, recorded in 2010. The highest-ever recorded temperature in the city is 45.5ºC, just one degree more than Thursday’s temperature.
Hyderabad IMD director Dr Y.K. Reddy said, “Heatwave conditions will prevail for the next two days. Several temperature records could be broken in the course of the next two days. There is a chance that this could be the hottest summer of the last decade.”
He added, “On Thursday, the high was 44.3ºC and it could touch the 45ºC mark over the next two days.” The Met department has forecast that the 45ºC level will be breached on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The IMD has issued a severe heat wave warning for all districts of TS and eight districts of AP till Saturday .
In AP too, the heat wave gripped Vijayawada with a high of 44.5ºC. The capital’s record is 47.5ºC, from nearly 35 years ago.
General hot conditions are likely to continue into June until the monsoon sets in. “There is a slight wind blowing at 3 knots, but if the wind speed is higher, it will make the conditions even hotter,” Dr Reddy said.
Parts of Rayalaseema and north AP will be spared of the heat and Anantapur and Kadapa recorded lower temperatures than other cities.
