Rising temperatures signal harsh summer

Hyderabad: The rising temperatures across Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh warn of a severe summer ahead. Data reveals that temperatures in mid-February are already above average at many places in both the states.

Meteorologists had earlier predicted that the recent winter would be warmer due to climate change, but the forecasts had proven to be false with the two states recording severe winter conditions with a few places in Andhra Pradesh touched zero and even sub-zero temperatures.

Telangana, which had been recording below average temperatures, has started warming up with many areas recording 33ºC-37ºC daytime temperatures, with an average of 35ºC, indicating that the summer will be pretty severe.

Mahbubnagar, Bhadrachalam, Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Ramagundam have been recording the highest temperatures, according to data provided by the IMD. Coastal AP, meanwhile, has been experiencing 29ºC-35ºC temperatures with Nandigama recording the highest temperature of 35.8ºC on Sunday. Nellore and Vijayawada also witnessed temperatures above 34ºC.

On Sunday, Vijayawada was 34.4ºC. A sharp increase over Saturday when the maximum temperature was around 31ºC. The city, in fact, has seen abnormally high temperatures in February for the last couple of years. Temperatures have been above normal in Rayalaseema districts for more than 15 days.