Andhra: Heat wave forecast in AP after mercury rises to 6.5 degrees
Visakhapatnam: Temperature has shot up by 6.5 degrees Celsius in Narsapur in AP and about five degrees Celsius at Bapatla and Jangamaheswarapuram in central Andhra on Saturday. Several other places have recorded an increase in temperature by three to four degrees.Following this, the IMD, Andhra Pradesh, has forecast revival of heat waves in parts of the state during the next three days. IMD senior scientist Dr S. Karunasagar said dry weather, westerly winds, lack of moisture, and absence of weather systems in Bay of Bengal have led to the heat conditions. “Initially we gave a heatwave warning for three days. But heat wave conditions might continue further till a system forms in the Bay of Bengal,’’ Karunasagar said.A source pointed out that a break in monsoon also causes a rise in temperatures.
Areas that have received below-normal rainfall dry out quickly. Dry soil converts more of the Sun’s energy into heat, rather than evaporating the moisture, making temperatures rise faster. Private weather website Skymet has however forecast that a cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over the north-northwest Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal adjoining the Odisha-West Bengal coast during the first half of next week. The system might have a little impact on Andhra Pradesh, except for north Andhra. The current weather system has slowed down the sowing of paddy in several parts of the state, particularly in rain-fed areas, where farmers are waiting for adequate rainfall before transplanting seedlings.
On Saturday, Narsapuram recorded 39.4 degrees Celsius, about 6.5 degrees more than the normal temperature. Bapatla registered 40.6 degrees, 5.8 above normal. The temperature at Jangamaheswarapuram is 40.9 degrees, 5.1 degrees above the normal. In North Andhra, Visakhapatnam recorded 37 degrees Celsius of temperature. During the last 24 hours ending 8:30 am on Saturday, Chittoor district received 2 cm of rainfall and Rajahmundry 1 cm.
