Monsoon to Advance in AP, Heatwave to Continue

VISAKHAPATNAM / ANANTAPUR: The southwest monsoon will spread across Andhra Pradesh in next two to three days, a report issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast on Saturday.

The report also issued a fresh alert against heatwave on Sunday and Monday in north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and south coastal AP.

IMD-Amaravati director S. Stella said Jangamaheswarapuram in Palnadu district experienced severe heatwave conditions on Saturday, while nine places – Visakhapatnam, Tuni, Kakinada, Narsapur, Machilipatnam, Nandigama, Gannavaram and Bapatla experienced heatwave conditions.

The IMD said the southwest monsoon has not progressed much since its arrival in Andhra Pradesh on June 11, about a week later than its usual onset. Now, the conditions are becoming favourable for southwest monsoon’s expansion over south peninsula, East India and adjoining areas on June 19 and June 22.

Jangamaheswarapuram registered the highest temperature of 43.8°Celsius in AP on Saturday, followed by Bapatla (43°C), Amaravati (42.4°C), Gannavaram (42.2°C), Nandigama (42.1°C) and Machilipatnam (41.8°C). The remaining parts of the state recorded temperatures between 37°C and 40°C.

Heatwave conditions with abnormal temperatures are continuing in Rayalaseema region “We are witnessing high temperatures for the first time in the past five decades,” Pandurangachar of Housing Board in Anantapur observed.

Though schools are running only during the morning sessions, parents are having a difficult time bringing children back home in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, sources in IMD said rains are likely from June 19 in Sri Satya Sai, Annamayya, YSR and Tirupati districts.