Srikakulam scorches as mercury hits 45.4°C; heatwave grips district
The district has been reeling under intense heat for the past week, forcing residents indoors even after 4 p.m. Unusually high temperatures for April, typically seen in May, have made conditions severe across the region.
On Thursday (April 23, 2026), Kotturu recorded a maximum temperature of 45.4°C, the highest in the district this season. Heatwave-like conditions were reported across Amdalavalasa, Burja, Hiramandalam, Jalumuru, Kanchili, Mandasa, Nandigam, Patapatnam, Saravakota, and Sarubujjili, where temperatures ranged between 40°C and 44°C.
District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar advised people to avoid outdoor exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., warning that direct sun exposure during these hours could be dangerous.
He said guidelines issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority should be strictly followed. Residents have been urged to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if they experience fever or other heat-related symptoms after sun exposure.
Meanwhile, experts from the AP Physics Teachers’ Forum, Srikakulam unit, including president G. Lakshmana Rao, P. Ravikumar, and treasurer Botcha Venkata Rao, attributed the rising temperatures to climate change and increasing urbanisation in rural areas. They stressed the need for large-scale plantation drives during the upcoming monsoon season to help bring down temperatures in the long run.