Heat wave conditions to prevail in Andhra, Telangana: MET Department

The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) on Saturday said that heat wave conditions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will prevail till the onset of the monsoon, and added that there had been a drop in temperature in the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh.

"In the last week of May and in the first week of June, before the onset of monsoon, the severe heat wave conditions will prevail. This is a normal trend, but this year, the heat wave conditions developed after May 20, particularly in Telangana, is continuing till now. The conditions are very severe in Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Karim Nagar, Warangal and Nalgonda districts," said Narasimha Rao, Assistant Metrologist at IMD, Hyderabad.

"The temperatures are above 42 degree Celsius, in some places it has reached 47 degrees. The severity is more in Telangana at present. The temperature in coastal Andhra Pradesh have fallen, other than Guntur, there is no heat wave in coastal Andhra Pradesh," he added.

The death toll in Andhra Pradesh, due to intense heat wave, has reached 1636. The most affected districts in the state were Prakasam and Guntur with 333 and 233 deaths respectively.

Meanwhile, authorities in Andhra Pradesh have cancelled doctors' leave and advised people not to head outside in the middle of the day to avoid the worst of the heat.

However for many people, staying indoors isn't much better as the weather conditions have also resulted in frequent power cuts.