HYDERABAD: Hyderabad and the rest of Telangana are gearing up for a significant drop in temperatures as a cold wave is set to sweep across the state until January 11.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD-Hyderabad) and independent weather forecasters, residents should prepare for biting cold conditions with the minimum temperatures expected to plummet.
In its latest forecast, IMD-Hyderabad predicted that minimum temperatures would dip below normal by 2 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees Celsius after remaining stable for the next three days.
“Mist or hazy conditions are likely to prevail during morning hours over Telangana for the next five days,” the department noted in its advisory.
In light of the forecast, IMD-Hyderabad has issued a yellow alert for several districts, including Adilabad, Komaram Bheem, Mancherial, Medak, Nirmal, and Sangareddy. The alert signifies the likelihood of cold wave conditions in these areas.
Meanwhile, weather blogger T. Balaji forecast an even sharper drop.
“Northern districts of Telangana are likely to experience a strong cold wave, with minimum temperatures possibly falling to five degrees Celsius. In Hyderabad and other regions, the cold wave will peak on January 9 and 10, with temperatures expected to dip to as low as seven to nine degrees Celsius,” he explained on X.
Hyderabad and several districts have been experiencing chilly nights and early mornings. Among the northern districts, Kumram Bheem recorded the lowest temperature at 8.3°C in the past 24 hours, with forecasts predicting further drops to 8.1°C on the first day and as low as 7.9°C on the second day.
Adilabad also experienced biting cold at 8.7°C, with minimum temperatures expected to plummet to 7.6°C on day one and 7.5°C on day two, signalling the persistence of strong cold wave conditions.
Sangareddy registered a minimum of 8.8°C, with slight dips to 9.5°C and 9.6°C expected over the next two days. In Rangareddy, the minimum temperature hovered at 9.8°C, with forecasts predicting further declines to 10.9°C in the coming days. In Hyderabad, chilly mornings prevailed as several GHMC circles recorded low temperatures.
Serilingampally registered 11.3°C, with a likely increase to 13.3°C on the first day but a slight rise to 14.2°C on the second. Rajendranagar recorded a minimum temperature of 11.6°C, and it is expected to drop further to 12.2°C and 13.6°C in the following days.
Malkajgiri saw similar conditions with 11.7°C recorded, and forecasts showing a dip to 11.5°C before rising marginally to 13.5°C.
In the city, Chandrayangutta, although slightly warmer at 15.8°C, is expected to see the temperature fall to 11.8°C during the upcoming cold wave. The cold weather is expected to linger across the State at least until the Sankranti festival. Experts have advised people, particularly the elderly and young children, to stay warm and avoid prolonged exposure to cold winds, especially during early mornings and late evenings.
