The interior parts of the state of Andhra Pradesh are among the hottest regions. Day temperatures are breaching the 40°C mark for the last about one week. Despite extreme temperatures, no pre-monsoon activity has commenced, so far. Lack of moisture has allowed the dry heat to build up and no rainfall has been witnessed, for over one month now. Hopes are fading for any immediate relief.
The state of Andhra Pradesh has two meteorological sub-divisions: Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. By virtue of proximity to the coastline of the Bay of Bengal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh remains humid and the temperatures remain checked around mid 30’s, this time of the year. However, Rayalaseema, comprising interiors of the state remains relatively dry and therefore hot, as compared to the coastline. Farther parts of Rayalaseema, namely Anantapur, Kurnool, Nandyal, and Cuddapah have been the hottest for the last about one week.
Anantapur has been recording the highest temperature in the country for the last few days. Yesterday, the city recorded the highest of this season at 41.3°C, about 4°C above the normal. Nandyal was a shade lower at 41.1°C. All these stations have recorded the highest temperatures of this season, yesterday and each in excess of 40°C. No immediate relief is likely for the region.
Pre-monsoon Peninsular India trough, as a semi-permanent feature, runs across the interior parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This feature triggers the pre-monsoon thunderstorms, to balance out the excess heat, as and when it builds up. However, the process has not begun this season, so far. There is a cyclonic circulation over North Interior Karnataka in the lower levels. A north-south trough extends from the circulation to the interiors of Tamil Nadu, across Rayalaseema. However, the Bay of Bengal anticyclone is not placed favourably, to fuel moist winds over this region. Sharp turning of winds along the coastline of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh is keeping the interiors dry and hot. This feature is unlikely to change for the next about 4 days. Subsequently, conditions are building up for some thunderstorm activity over Telangana and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Though, Rayalaseema per say, may not have any thunderstorms weather activity in the contiguous areas can have a cascading effect. This may provide much-needed relief. The event still remains about a week away and that too without any firm assurance. Confirmation is only after an observation period of 3 days.
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