IMD issues severe five-day red alert, as heatwave intensifies over Telangana

India Meteorological Department has issued a five-day red alert for Telangana as temperatures in several districts are expected to cross 44°C. Hyderabad and neighbouring districts remain under orange alert, while isolated rain and thundershowers are forecast in some areas later this week.

Hyderabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad, on Tuesday issued a severe five-day red-alert warning for Telangana, with maximum temperatures in multiple districts expected to cross 44 degrees Celsius while mercury in the remaining districts is expected to hover between 41 and 44 degree Celsius.

According to the IMD, Hyderabad forecast on Tuesday, a massive swathe of the State is locked into the highest risk brackets. The red alert for districts that will record temperatures of more than 44 degree Celsius includes Adilabad, Jagitial, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Komaram Bheem, Mancherial, Nalgonda, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Peddapalle, Rajanna Siricilla, and Suryapet.

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The remaining districts, including the capital region of Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Khammam, and Warangal, are under a persistent Orange Alert, with the mercury expected to hover in an oppressive band between 41 degree Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius over the next five days.

Weather officials warned that maximum temperatures will continue a gradual upward trajectory, rising by another one to two degrees Celsius in the next three days, significantly compounding the regional heat stress.

The IMD’s medium-to-high risk classification underlines a severe threat to public health across all affected zones. For districts under the 41-degree Celsius to 44-degree Celsius Orange Alert, the heat presents a moderate to high health concern, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and individuals battling chronic diseases.

According to IMD, Hyderabad, on May 20 and 21, several districts, including Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, and Wanaparthy, will experience isolated, light to moderate rain or thundershowers.