Telangana, AP shivers under extreme cold wave

Hyderabad, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh continued to be in the grip of cold wave conditions. Mercury plummeted to one degree Celsius Monday in Lambasingi, a tribal area in Visakhapatnam district while the lowest temperature of four degree was recorded in Adilabad in Telangana state.

Lambasingi in Chintapalli mandal, about 110 km from coastal city of Visakhapatnam, Sunday chilled at zero degree Celsius. The temperature at other agency areas in Visakhapatnam district ranged between two and four degree Celsius.

The temperature at Lambasingi, located more than 3,000 feet above sea level, and other surrounding tribal areas had been dropping for last few years. The region, especially Araku Valley, attracts tourists during the season.

The temperature in most parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana continue to be below 10 degree Celsius.

Adilabad remained the coldest place in Telangana with four degree Celsius, an all-time record. A person died of cold wave in the district.

With Adilabad situated on a higher level in the Deccan plateau, it is recording relatively lower temperature, said Met officials.

Medak, Nizamabad, Ramagundam and Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana continue to record below 10 degree temperatures.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the cold wave conditions to cold dry northerly winds blowing into the two states. It has forecast that temperature might further dip in the coming days.

The cold wave conditions have affected the normal life in parts of the two states. Streets in parts of Hyderabad and other towns are going deserted around 8 p.m. and people are remaining indoors till late in the morning.

The sale of warm clothes has gone up. People are also setting small fires to keep themselves warm.

The health authorities have also come out with a list of precautionary measures for people to protect themselves from the cold.

Beggars, orphans, destitute and the daily-wage labourers are the worst affected by the harsh weather.