Date:10/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/10/stories/2003061002430400.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Monsoon likely in State by June 14

By Our Special Correspondent

Hyderabad June 9. The heatwave sweeping the State got a further respite on Monday with the pre-monsoon activity all over and dry winds yielding place to winds with moisture caused by the incoming South-West monsoon.

The South-West monsoon, which covered parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is likely to arrive in Karnataka in a day or two and then in Andhra Pradesh by June 14, in line with predictions made by the India Meteorological Department. "Possibly, there will be no deviation leading to the late arrival in Andhra Pradesh," said C. V. V. Bhadram, director, State Met Office, here today. According to reports reaching the Met Office, as a result of pre-monsoon activity, there was cloud formation in all the three regions of the State leading to day temperatures making a climbdown, much to the relief of the people. Maximum temperatures fell at almost all the places in the State and the highest for the 24-hour period ended this morning was recorded by Hanamkonda at 46 degrees Celsius. Parts of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema experienced isolated rains, while dry weather continued in Telangana region. Gudur recorded a rainfall of 3 cm and Narsipatnam 2 cm. Reports also indicated that the severe heatwave persisted only in one district each in Coastal Andhra and Telangana, Krishna and Warangal, while East Godavari, Guntur, Prakasam and Khammam were under a moderate heat wave. The Met Office, however, said the heat wave would continue for one or two days more in isolated pockets of Telangana and Coastal Andhra.

Heatwave toll 1,401

Meanwhile, the death roll in the State due to heatwave conditions prevailing in different parts crossed the 1,400 mark on Monday, with more fatalities being reported from Prakasam, Adilabad and Warangal districts.

According to information reaching the Directorate of Health Services, the toll on Monday touched 1,401. Fresh deaths were reported from Prakasam (138), Warangal (72) and Adilabad (48).

The number of cases affected by sunstroke touched 1,785.

The district-wise toll is as follows: West Godavari 261, East Godavari 199, Nalgonda 192, Guntur 184, Prakasam 138, Krishna 77, Warangal 72, Adilabad 48, Chittoor 42, Karimnagar 41, Nellore 36, Visakhapatnam and Khammam 27 each, Kurnool 18, Hyderabad 13, Nizamabad 11, Mahbubnagar and Ranga Reddy five each, Srikakulam 4, Cuddapah 1.