KURNOOL/VISAKHAPATNAM: Even as it's March, Kurnool is reeling under severe heat wave, with the day temperature going past 40 degree Celsius. In the span of 20 days, the heat wave reportedly has claimed eight lives in the district.
On Friday, a devotee from Karnataka died after he allegedly suffered sunstroke on his way to Srisailam temple. Another elderly woman Narayanamma from Kalugotla village and a daily wager Duggemma reportedly met the same fate in two separate incidents on March 21. Five more persons-Somanna of Gopavaram, Meramma of Singarajupalle, Neelavathi of Chelimella, Venkatramudu of Chakibanda and Maddamma of Alur-also allegedly died of sunstroke.
However, the authorities claim that no sunstroke death has been registered so far in the district. "These deaths are not related to sunstroke as the victims showed no such symptoms. However, a committee has been formed comprising police, revenue and medical officers which will certify the sunstroke deaths," said DM&HO M Meenaksi Mahadev, adding that preventive measures like distribution of ORS sachets and erecting tents to distribute water and buttermilk to people have been taken up.
Special drives have been conducted to create awareness among the public through distribution of pamphlets, announcements by cable TV network and FM radio. Since the last 20 days, temperature in several towns including Nandyal, Dhone, Adoni and Yammiganur has crossed the 40-degree mark, while the district recorded 42 degree Celsius, claimed to be highest this season. Streets become deserted at 9 am.
Hinting that the dog days are ahead, the mercury levels at several places in Rayalaseema and coastal districts have also recorded the same trend. On Saturday, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur and Tirupati recorded the maximum day temperature of 41 degree Celsius, followed by Kadapa and Nadigama in Krishna district which registered 40 degree Celsius.
Gannavaram, Kavali, Nellore, Jangamaheswarapuram, Vijayawada, Kakinada and Visakhapatnam recorded maximum temperatures between 36 and 39 degree Celsius, with an average increase of 1 degree Celsius above normal.
However, the weather officials say that the departure from the average temperature has not been more than 1 to 3 degrees. "The day temperature is like to see a gradual rise from the month-end. Thanks to the wind profile which is towards the seaside now under the influence of southerlies and easterlies, there is not much rise in the temperature. Once the wind profile changes in north India, the mercury level will continue to rise in Coastal Andhra," said an official of Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC), Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
There will be a gradual change in the weather conditions in every two to three days which may cause heat distributions, resulting in rise in temperature at a few places. There will be drop in the temperatures too in case of trough formation, he said.
Temperature on Saturday
Place Temperature
Anantapur 41
Kurnool 41
Tirupati 41
Nandyala 41
Kadapa 40
Nandigama 40
Jangamaheswarapuram 38
Gannavaram 38
Vijayawada 37
Nellore 37
Vizag (airport) 36
Kakinada 35
Ongole 35
Tuni 35
Kalingapatnam 33
(*In Degree Celsius)