Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh is experiencing scorching temperatures as February sees a sudden rise in heat and humidity. Meteorologists predict a further increase in temperatures after Maha Shivratri, with a potential hailstorm expected in the second or third week of March. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued hailstorm warnings for Karnataka and Kerala, with Andhra Pradesh likely to experience severe heat from April to June.
Historical data from 1961 to 2020 indicates that hailstorm intensity has significantly increased in Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa, and Chittoor districts. Additionally, temperatures in Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari, and East Godavari have risen by 8 degrees above normal. Climate change has extended hailstorm duration by 2.5 days over the past 30 years. In 2015, an extreme heatwave saw temperatures soaring 12 degrees above normal between May 23 and 27, causing widespread distress.
The increasing frequency of hailstorms is impacting agriculture, transport, and aviation. Vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, face heightened health risks. Crop losses are also a growing concern for farmers. IMD reports a 3 to 5-degree temperature increase across Coastal Andhra, particularly in Visakhapatnam, Narasapuram, and Machilipatnam. Meteorologists warn that humidity will exacerbate the heat, leading to more rainfall in the coastal districts.
