Why are A.P. and Telangana temperatures rising?

• On May 12, 17 districts of Andhra Pradesh recorded temperatures above 41ºC, with the A.P. State Disaster Management Authority predicting heatwave-like conditions in the northern districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Paravathipuram-Manyam, East Godavari, and Kakinada.

• Mercury levels surged past the 40º C mark across all 33 districts of Telangana on April 21.

• Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are located on the eastern side of the Deccan plateau in south India, making them prone to heatwaves during the summer.

• Geographical location affects weather, with both states falling under the Tropic of Cancer, putting them in the Torrid (or tropical) Zone.

• Telangana, a landlocked State, experiences a continental climate due to its lack of major water bodies nearby to moderate temperatures.

• The absence of early warnings forecast system based on hourly observations is a major challenge to mitigating heatwaves.

• Lack of sufficient rainfall and loss of forest cover also contribute to high summer temperatures.

• The India Meteorological Department has started working in this area, but progress is still to be made. Understanding the risk is the first step towards mitigating the impact of heatwaves.