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Heatwave Conditions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Why do Andhra Pradesh and Telangana get so hot during the summer?
Context: The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) warned of heatwave-like conditions expected to continue, particularly in northern districts: Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Paravathipuram-Manyam, East Godavari, and Kakinada.
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- On May 12, 17 districts in Andhra Pradesh recorded temperatures above 41º C.
- Telangana experienced a sharp rise in temperatures, with all 33 districts crossing 40º C on April 21.
- Adilabad was the hottest district in Telangana, reaching a maximum temperature of 44º C, according to Telangana Development Planning Society data.
Geographical and Climatic Drivers
- Proximity to the Tropic of Cancer: The two States fall within the Torrid (Tropical) Zone, being located close to the Tropic of Cancer. This zone is typified by high temperatures and humidity.
- Continental Climate and Lack of Moderating Water Bodies: Telangana’s landlocked nature makes it more susceptible to high diurnal temperature variations, typical of continental climates. Unlike coastal regions, there are no large water bodies nearby to regulate the heat. The interior districts of Andhra Pradesh share a similar disadvantage, as they lie far from the coastline.
- Heat-Absorbing Rocky Terrain: Telangana lies mostly on the Deccan Plateau, which is covered in black soil and rocky terrain. These surfaces absorb more heat, contributing to higher surface and air temperatures.
The Role of Evaporative Cooling — Or the Lack Thereof
- In agricultural or forested regions, evaporative cooling plays a crucial role in moderating summer temperatures. This process cools the environment as water evaporates, drawing heat from the surroundings. However, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana lack the necessary agricultural activity and green cover during summer to benefit from this effect.
- In contrast, regions like the Indo-Gangetic plains, which have intensive irrigation, experience relatively cooler conditions due to this natural cooling process.
Deficit Rainfall and Delayed Monsoon
- Lack of sufficient rainfall between March and May in AP and Telangana results in less cloud cover and more sunshine, causing higher temperatures.
- The Southwest Monsoon typically arrives only after June 10, leading to prolonged exposure to intense solar radiation with little to no cloud cover — ideal conditions for a heatwave.
Declining Forest Cover
- The lack of trees further reduces evapotranspiration, a process where water is transferred from land and plants to the atmosphere, helping cool the area. The State of Forest Report 2023 highlights:
- Andhra Pradesh lost 138.66 sq km of forest cover since the 2021 assessment.
- Telangana lost 100.42 sq km in the same period.
- These losses compound the heating problem by eliminating natural mechanisms that help regulate local temperatures.
Challenges in Heatwave Mitigation
- Lack of Advanced Early Warning Systems: Hourly observation-based systems are still under development. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has begun work but progress is slow.
- Need for Localised Risk Understanding: Effective mitigation requires the classification of districts based on:
- Dry heat vs. humid heat exposure.
- Varying local impacts and vulnerabilities.
- One-size-fits-all approaches are ineffective for complex climate risks.
Recommendations for Mitigation
- With climate change amplifying extreme weather events, the intense heatwaves in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are likely to become more frequent and severe.
- Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged strategy:
- Strengthen early warning systems with localised, real-time data.
- Increase irrigation infrastructure to promote evaporative cooling.
- Protect and restore forest cover to enhance natural cooling mechanisms.
- Adopt region-specific heat management plans considering local terrain, climate, and population vulnerabilities.
- Promote urban heat mitigation through green roofs, reflective materials, and increased tree cover.
- Understanding the complex interaction of geography, climate, and human activity is critical in designing effective, region-specific strategies to mitigate the growing threat of extreme heat.
