IMD issues red alert as Telangana faces severe heatwave

India Meteorological Department has issued a red warning for Telangana as temperatures are expected to exceed 44°C in several districts. The heatwave is likely to intensify across the state, with officials warning of very high health risks and urging precautions.

Hyderabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad, on Wednesday issued a critical Red Warning, where mercury will cross 44 degree Celsius in several districts in Telangana, as a severe spell of heatwave is steadily taking its grip across the state in the coming days.

In its red heatwave alert issued on Wednesday, the IMD, Hyderabad, has indicated that maximum temperatures are expected to climb in all the districts of Telangana by 2 degree Celsius to 4 degree Celsius, with northern districts expected to witness extreme weather conditions.

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The IMD has placed several districts under a severe heatwave watch where temperatures are forecast to exceed 44 degree Celsius starting from Friday, May 15. The districts under red maximum alert are Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, and Nirmal, which were expected to consistently see temperatures above 44 degree Celsius for the next three to four days. The red warning for extreme heatwave will continue to expand, as maximum temperatures in Jagtial and Nizamabad will cross 44 degree Celsius by Saturday, May 16.

By the end of this week, other districts like Karimnagar and Peddapalle are expected to witness more than 44 degree Celsius of heatwave.

According to the IMD, Hyderabad weather bulletin, virtually every district in Telangana will witness a significant rise in heat in the coming days.

Areas that were previously in the 36 to 40 degree Celsius range, including Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Khammam, and Warangal, are forecast to climb into the 41 to 44 degree Celsius range by Friday.

With the issuance of a Red Warning, the IMD has classified the health risk for individuals who get exposed to heatwaves as ‘Very High’. There is a very high likelihood of heat illness and heatstroke across all age groups.

The weather department has urged the general public to take extreme care for vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases.