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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Visakhapatnam grapples with extreme weather change
The city has been witnessing extreme weather fluctuations for the past week due to the rising temperatures and sudden rainfall. However, despite the high humidity level, the groundwater level has seen a rise to some extent in the city limits. Anandapuram mandal recorded a maximum temperature of 37.7°C in the first half of the day, but the mandal and its surrounding areas also received the highest rainfall of 37 mm in just the last 24 hours (June 7 morning to June 8 morning). While other areas received moderate rains, the morning temperatures were recorded between 35°C and 38°C and relative humidity levels increased to more than 70%. Waltair on Sunday (June 8), recorded a relative humidity of 86%, while the maximum temperature was 34.2°C. The relative humidity at Visakhapatnam Airport was 67%, while the maximum temperature was 35.6°C. The weather fluctuations began after the onset of the southwest monsoon in the last week of May, during which the city was struggling with unbearable humidity, causing excessive sweating and dehydration, especially among women and the elderly. Meanwhile, the AP Disaster Management Authority said that the humid-heat conditions would be severe in the north coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday (June 9) and the maximum temperature may touch 41-42°C in isolated places. However, light to moderate rains are likely in the south coastal Andhra Pradesh that day. Although the maximum temperatures recorded in the last few days have been between 32°C and 36°C, residents are facing a heat index of 40°C to 45°C due to high humidity levels. So what is heat index, Emeritus Professor Prof. O.S.R.U. Bhanu Kumar, Andhra University, speaking to The Hindu said, 'People may perceive high relative humidity (RH) levels as high temperatures, but that is not true. For example, if the temperature at a particular place (Visakhapatnam beach) is 30°Celsius, people living in that area will perceive it as 40°C due to high RH levels. This is called the heat index'. For comfort, RH levels should be below 40-45%. The high RH values persist even after the onset of the southwest monsoon, and it may continue till June, Prof. Kumar added. High humidity levels lead to two things - rains and excessive sweating. Humidity in the air can be measured by four parameters, including RH values. If the RH value is high, the weather will be humid and thunderstorms will occur in the evenings, he said.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
City reels under humid weather, temperatures touch 36°Celsius
The city of Visakhapatnam is grappling with unbearable humidity that is causing excessive sweating and dehydration, especially among women and elders. Meteorologists said: 'Although the maximum temperatures recorded over the past few days were between 32°Celsius and 36°Celsius, residents are experiencing heat index as high as 40°Celsius to 45°Celsius due to high humidity levels. So what is Heat Index? Emeritus professor Prof. O.S.R.U. Bhanu Kumar, Andhra University Meteorology, speaking to The Hindu from the U.S said: 'People may perceive high relative humidity (RH) levels as high temperature, but that is not true. For example, if the temperature at a particular place (Visakhapatnam beach) is 30° Celsius, people living in that area will perceive it as 40° Celsius if RH levels are high. This is called the Heat Index. Retired defence employee M. Vijaya Raghava Babu said: 'The severe weather conditions have led cases of dehydration and a surge in demand for fruit juices and coconut water, with prices of coconut water reaching ₹140 and ₹150 per litre. According to the Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC) in Visakhapatnam, the city's relative humidity (RH) in the Waltair meteorological observation area was 82%, while at the airport was 72% on Monday. As a result the maximum temperature recorded was 35.5° Celsius. Mr. Bhanu Kumar said: 'The RH levels in Waltair on Monday were higher than the normal that the human body can tolerate leading to profuse sweating. RH levels should be below 40-45% for comfort. However, by the end of May, first week of June, the city may see RH levels exceed above 90%. The high RH values will continue even after the onset of the southwest monsoon, which may be in the second week of June in Visakhapatnam.' High humidity levels lead to two things - rains and excessive sweating. Humidity in the air can be measured by four parameters, including the levels of RH values. If the RH value is high, the atmosphere will be humid and there will also be thunderstorms in the evenings, he said. On Monday evening, the city witnessed thunder and lightning, with Pedagantyada receiving 20 mm of rainfall as city's highest rainfall by 8 p.m.
