Temperature Surge Across AP: Authorities Put on High Alert

Andhra Pradesh is currently facing an intensifying heatwave, prompting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to convene an emergency review meeting on preparedness and relief measures across the state.

Officials informed the government that the ongoing heatwave has been driven by El Niño conditions, with temperatures in several regions already touching around 45°C to 48°C . This aligns with historical extremes recorded in the state, where coastal and inland districts have previously experienced peak temperatures close to 48°C during severe heat events .

The meeting highlighted that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were among the worst-affected regions during the severe 2015 heatwave , when temperatures in parts of South India reached up to 48°C , contributing to more than 2,500 deaths nationwide , with a major share reported from these two states .

Officials also recalled that during earlier phases of extreme heat in 2015, the combined toll in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana crossed 1,100 deaths within a short span , underscoring the recurring vulnerability of the region to heat stress events .

As part of the current preparedness plan, the government reported that 1,349 heat shelters have been set up in urban areas, along with cooling and drinking water facilities. In addition, 446 traffic junctions have been provided with shaded arrangements for commuters and traffic police personnel.

Authorities have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock monitoring and issue timely heat alerts. Vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, pregnant women, children, and people with health conditions have been advised to avoid outdoor exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. , when heat intensity peaks.

The state has also deployed emergency relief measures, including ORS distribution, drinking water supply through tankers where necessary, and the setting up of emergency response centres across districts.

On long-term mitigation, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of expanding green cover and improving groundwater levels, noting that greener regions tend to record comparatively lower temperatures.