In much of the Deccan plateau including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, this is winter time but in reality, it feels like summer as the mercury is hovering much above the normal. There is no chill in the air and even mornings continue to be uncomfortably warm in a clear indication that something seems to be seriously amiss with the weather cycle for the region.
According to the Weather office in Hyderabad, the temperature at many places in Telangana including Hyderabad and in Andhra Pradesh was two to five degrees Celsius above normal. While Warangal was the hottest place in Telangana with 37 degrees Celsius, Hyderabad was also warm with 32 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperature was also around 23 degrees against normal mid October minimum temperature of 17 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Nandigama and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh were also very hot with 36 degrees Celsius. People in Rajahmundry on the banks of river Godavari were also perspiring with high temperature despite some rains in other parts of the East Godavari district.
Aurangabad in Marhatwada region of Maharashtra, geographically part of the Deccan Plateau was also experiencing similar weather pattern with a maximum temperature of 32 degrees. Weather officials attribute weather condition to the twin reasons of lack of cloud covers as the south west monsoon was withdrawing and no cyclonic activity in Bay of Bengal.
September and October are known for low pressure systems and cyclones hitting the coast of Andhra bringing rains or at least cooling down the climes of Telangana. But this year, Bay has not seen much of this activity. They also point out that the summer was also very harsh with unprecedented heat wave killing more than 2,000 people. “We are feeling the cumulative impact of all these factors”, a Met Department official said.
The people in the two States were unlikely to get the taste of winter any time soon as the temperatures were likely to be on higher side for a few more days, officials said. They also point out the duration of winter was gradually shrinking over last few and some parts of the State had crossed temperature of 39 degrees Celsius in October last year.