Vijayawada: After enjoying brief spells of rain over the past week, residents of Vijayawada are now reeling under intense heatwave conditions that grip the city. Once busy, the streets had a deserted look during the daytime as people stayed indoors to avoid the scorching heat. The mercury sharply rose across coastal Andhra Pradesh, with temperatures hovering around 40-41°C. On Monday, Rangampeta of East Godavari, Pedana of Krishna district, and Pachipenta of Parvatipuram Manyam district recorded a high temperature of 40.9°C, while Badvel, Bhimavaram, and Payakaraopeta reported around 40°C. Vijayawada city recorded around 39°C. The heatwave left people gasping for relief, especially those working outdoors like street vendors, delivery personnel, and traffic police, who bear the brunt of the sun.In Vijayawada, footfall in public areas and markets dropped drastically in the afternoon hours, with locals choosing to complete their tasks early in the morning or late in the evening. The city’s roads, usually bustling with activity, looked empty under the blazing sun.Meteorological officials issued warnings that the heatwave conditions are expected to persist across the state until Tuesday. They advised people to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak hours, and take necessary precautions to prevent sunstrokes.However, relief may be on the horizon. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, a surface depression formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal and is likely to intensify in the next 48 hours. Experts said, it may move northwards, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to parts of AP, including the coastal districts, from June 11 onwards.
