Rayalaseema sizzles as Anantapur records maximum temperature of 44°C

Visakhapatnam: Parts of the Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh are reeling under intense heat, with Anantapur recording the maximum temperature of 44.1 degrees Celsius (around 4°C above normal) on Sunday, the highest in the state for the day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.Along with Anantapur, three other locations in Rayalaseema — Kurnool, Kadapa and Nandyal — occupied the top four spots in the state in terms of the highest maximum temperatures for the day, it said.Kurnool recorded the maximum temperature of 43.4°C, followed by 42.9°C in Kadapa, 42.6°C in Nandyal and 40.4°C in Tirupati.In the coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) region, Jangamaheswarapuram in Palnadu district recorded the maximum temperature of 40.5°C, followed by 39.6°C in Nandigama, 39°C in Amaravati, 38.7°C in Nellore, 38.5°C in Gannavaram, 37.6°C in Kavali and 37.2°C each in Tuni and Kakinada on Sunday.The high relative humidity (70 to 80%) has made life difficult in Vizag, with residents reporting discomfort during peak hours on Sunday, even though temperatures ranged between 33°C and 34°C.The IMD forecast that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong surface wind speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are likely at isolated places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP), Yanam and Rayalaseema. Hot and humid conditions are likely to occur at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam. Maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal over the Rayalaseema region on April 20 and 21.Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema. Hot and humid conditions are likely to occur at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on April 22 and 23.Although the temperature in coastal districts was below 40 degrees Celsius, humidity coupled with heat added to people's woes for the next two days.Rainfall occurred at one or two places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, and dry weather prevailed over Rayalaseema between Saturday morning and Sunday morning, said the weathermen.The medical and health department suggested people avoid prolonged heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose cotton clothes, cover your head, use a wet cloth, hat or umbrella while going out during peak hours, and drink sufficient water even if not feeling thirsty to avoid dehydration during the summer.