Hyderabad, May 30 (IANS) Rains in parts of Andhra Pradsh and Telangana eased blistering heat wave, which claimed nearly 2,000 lives so far, officials said.
The heat wave subsided as showers and thunderstorms brought much-needed relief to people reeling under scorching summer temperatures for last two weeks.
However, the day temperatures remained high in parts of the two states. Ramagundam in Telangana and Jangamaheshwarapuram in Guntu district of Andhra Pradesh sizzled at 47 degree Celsius.
According to Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, maximum temperature fell at one or two places in coastal Andhra Pradesh but rose at one or two places in Rayalaseema. The temperatures remained above average in both the regions.
Parts of Rayalaseema region received rains since Friday. Kuppam in Chittoor district recorded highest rainfall of eight centimetres. A strong thunderstorm uprooted trees and electricity poles in some areas in the region.
The meteorologists have warned that heat wave conditions may continue for another 24 hours in Telangana.
Isolated rains Friday night brought some relief to people in Telangana but have not cooled down the weather. The maximum temperature at many places continued to be three to five degree above average.
Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Adilabad and Hanamkonda recorded 45 degrees. It was 44 degrees in Khammam, Mahabubnagar and Medak and 43 degrees in Hyderabad.
The heat wave, the worst in decades, has claimed 1,979 lives in the two states.
Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt with 1,490 deaths while 489 people died in Telangana.