Piduguralla sizzles at 48.1°C as severe heatwave grips Andhra Pradesh

VISAKHAPATNAM: A severe heatwave continued to grip Andhra Pradesh on Thursday (May 21), with several parts of the state recording extreme temperatures and weather agencies issuing fresh warnings.

Piduguralla in Palnadu district emerged as the hottest location at 48.1°C - the highest this summer - followed by Vetapalem and Nandiwada (47.6°C each), Thorragudipadu and Addanki (47.4°C), and Allipalli (47.3°C), according to Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA).

At least 17 places recorded temperatures of 40°C or above, while the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said day temperatures crossed 45°C in as many as 18 districts.

Earlier, Bapatla recorded 46.6°C, followed by Jangamaheswarapuram (46°C), Kavali (45.8°C), Amaravati (45.7°C), Gannavaram (45.2°C), Nandigama (44.7°C), Ongole (44.6°C) and Nellore (44.1°C). Most other parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) and Rayalaseema saw temperatures ranging between 40°C and 43°C, about 2-3 degrees above normal.

According to IMD-Amaravati, Bapatla, Jangamaheswarapuram, Kavali, Narsapur, Gannavaram and Amaravati experienced severe heatwave conditions.

The intense heat has led to a visible drop in movement, with streets in both urban and rural areas wearing a deserted look during afternoon hours. In cities, residents are also facing the urban heat island effect, where dense concrete infrastructure traps heat, making conditions harsher than in surrounding rural areas.

APSDMA managing director Prakhar Jain said heat intensity has reached severe levels in several parts of the state. He warned that severe heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in 15 mandals and heatwave conditions in as many as 219 mandals on Friday (May 22). People have been advised to avoid travel between 11 am and 4 pm.

The IMD has issued a severe heatwave alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next four to five days. Severe conditions are likely at isolated places in East Godavari, Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, NTR, Krishna, Palnadu, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore districts from May 22 to 25. Heatwave conditions are also expected in Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalle and Kakinada districts during the same period. In Rayalaseema, maximum temperatures are likely to remain between 41°C and 44°C over the next five days.