AP: Kavali, Ongole touch 44 degrees Celsius

Visakhapatnam: Severe heat conditions prevailed in Rayalaseema on Thursday ahead of southwest monsoons, which is likely to set in over the State on June 4.

A report from IMD, Amaravathi said the highest temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius was recorded at Kavali, with a departure of 5.10 degrees, followed by Ongole at 44 degrees with a departure of 3.4 degrees Celsius, Bapatla 43.8 degrees with a departure of 4.9 degrees, Amaravathi 43.7 degrees, Jangamaheswarapuram 43.5, Nandigama 43.6, Nellore 43.6 degrees and Nandyal 42. 8 degrees.

Similarly, Visakhapatnam airport area recorded 37.4 degrees, Visakhapatnam City 36 degrees and Kalingapatnam recorded the lowest temperature of 34.6 degrees Celsius.

Director of IMD, Amaravathi S Stella said if a similar temperature prevails for another day, it would be declared a heat wave. However, the mercury would come down from June 1 onwards, she said.

Earlier, IMD reports said June would witness heat waves as the rains would be scattered. The monsoons would bring heavy rains in July, August and September to boost the overall rainfall average. The IMD predicted that AP would have above normal.