Hotter summer for AP this season

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh's long coastal stretch is likely to witness above-normal temperatures this season from now till June end. However, the Rayalaseema region might witness normal or below-normal temperatures, giving some relief to the people. The mercury might shoot up by 2 to 3 degrees above normal, the weatherman said.

“Most alarmingly, El Nino conditions are developing as per indications given by the sea-surface temperature. This might reduce rainfall during the southwest monsoons,’’ said senior scientist at Amaravati IMD, S. Karunasagar.

At times the country received normal rainfall under the impact of the El Nino conditions, Karunasagar told Deccan Chronicle.

He said only coastal Andhra Pradesh will experience heat wave conditions four to six times between April and June. A health advisory would be given to the state government based on the impact of the heat wave. As a precautionary measure, the government would be advised to streamline drinking water supply in rural and semi-rural areas apart from setting up medical camps during the heat wave period.

Notably, Andhra Pradesh witnessed the highest number of average heat wave days between 2011 and 2021 – a total of 106 days during the peak summers.

Meanwhile, IMD New Delhi predicted a hot summer in some parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains and Eastern India during the last week of March. Temperatures could be 2-3 degree Celsius above normal in some parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains and eastern India during the last week of March, IMD informed a meeting convened to review preparedness for the coming summer, last fortnight.

IMD advised the state government to suggest to the forest department precautionary measures to prevent fires, and national disaster management authorities to draw action plans to face the situation arising out of the heat wave.

The weather department also advised the health department to stock ORS, general medicines etc to treat the patients affected by the severe heat conditions.