A family protects itself from the scorching sun with an umbrella, during a hot summer day, in Vijayawada.
| Photo Credit: G.N. RAO

Above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures and normal to above-normal rainfall have been predicted for Andhra Pradesh for May, in the Monthly Temperature and Rainfall Outlook for the country, released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on April 30.

According to the report, above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country except many parts of southern peninsular India in May. Andhra Pradesh will see above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures this month. The probabilities of the same, however, are less.

While the probability of the State registering above-normal maximum temperatures is between 33.5% and 55%, the probability of above-normal minimum temperatures in the State is between 33.5% and 65%. In a major relief, the number of heatwave days, on an average, is likely to be fewer in May, except for a few corners in North Andhra Pradesh.

While at present, the IMD, Amaravati, has given a forecast of thunderstorm, accompanied with lightning and gusty winds, at Isolated places across the three regions of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema until May 7, there will not be any major change in maximum and minimum temperatures.

IMD, Amaravati, Director S. Stella said the temperatures were expected to rise after May 8 in the State. She said while hot and humid temperatures would continue in May, but the probability for a deviation in the daytime temperatures of more than 4 degree Celsius from the normal, one of the determining factors of declaring a heatwave in plain areas, was likely to be less this month.

It will be a huge relief, as the State experienced severe heatwaves and heatwaves continuously in March and for a few days in April too.

Rainfall

Meanwhile, many places in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema continued to receive light to moderate rainfall on Thursday. According to realtime data updated on A.P. State Development Planning Society as of 8 p.m. on Thursday, Srisakthi Bhavan station in Giddalur mandal of Prakasam recorded the day’s highest of 54 mm rainfall. It is followed by a few places in YSR, SPSR Nellore, Chittoor, among others.

The A.P. State Disaster Management Authority has asked people to be careful before stepping out of their houses in view of thunderstorms and gales.

Keeping in view the searing temperatures in a few States, the National Human Rights Commission on May 1 wrote to the Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan asking them to take immediate steps to protect the vulnerable people from heat.

It also called for provisioning of shelters, supply of relief materials, amendment of working hours and availability of standard procedures for treating heat-related illnesses.