Thunderstorms to continue in State this week, mercury also to rise

Thunderstorms and light showers in Andhra Pradesh are likely to continue for another week and at the same time, maximum temperatures are also likely to see a gradual rise, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati.

Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds touching 50 kmph are likely to prevail at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema until March 26. Currently, all stations in the State are recording normal maximum temperatures, with no deviations.

While the maximum temperatures hovered around 38 degrees Celsius in Rayalaseema in this week, the temperatures in the remaining parts of the State remained around 35-37 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 2 degrees Celsius, Senior Scientist, IMD-Amaravati, S. Karunasagar, said.

“There will be light showers in some places, and there may be a rise in daytime temperatures in some other places in the next week,” Mr. Karunasagar said, adding that there is nothing unusual about the current weather pattern in the State.

According to the IMD’s weekly forecast, the upper air cyclonic circulation over South Interior Karnataka and neighbourhood persists, and is at 1.5 km above mean sea level. The trough from Gulf of Mannar to South Madhya Maharashtra, across Tamil Nadu and interior Karnataka, also persists. Currently, lower tropospheric South Easterly/South Westerly winds are prevailing over Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.

Meanwhile, anticipating intense heat in the coming days in NTR district and Vijayawada, the traffic and fire departments have arranged a canopy of green shades at major traffic junctions in the city on an experimental basis. If there is a good feedback, the same would be extended to junctions across the city, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP-Traffic) Shareen Begum.