Adilabad among world’s hottest as temperatures cross 43°C
Telangana : Adilabad has emerged among the world’s hottest locations, with temperatures repeatedly placing it in the top 100 global list compiled by Eldorado Weather, a US-based tracking platform. On Monday, the district recorded an average temperature of 43.3°C, ranking 14th globally, just below Akola in Maharashtra.
Other Indian locations on the list included Wardha and Sonegaon in Maharashtra, Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh, pointing to a wider heatwave pattern across central India.
Heat core region, dry winds driving temperature surge
Experts said Adilabad’s inclusion is consistent with its geography. Located in northern Telangana and bordering Vidarbha, the district is exposed to dry northerly winds.
“These winds, along with low humidity, sparse vegetation and delayed pre-monsoon showers, are pushing temperatures higher,” said Dharma Raju, scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
He added that the absence of cloud cover and rainfall is intensifying heat conditions in the region.
Decline in forest cover worsening local heat conditions
Environmental factors are compounding the situation. Telangana’s forest cover declined from about 18,561.58 sq km in 2021 to around 18,456 sq km in 2023, with notable reductions in Adilabad, Kothagudem, Asifabad and Nirmal.
“Even small losses in green cover reduce natural cooling and raise local temperatures. Combined with climate change, this is increasing both the frequency and intensity of heatwaves,” said YV Rama Rao, senior weather researcher at the Telangana Development Planning Society.
He noted that Talamadugu mandal in Adilabad recorded the district’s highest temperature of 44.5°C on Monday. Unseasonal rainfall may bring limited relief, he added.
Urban heat pockets worsen due to rapid expansion
Urban areas are facing additional heat stress. Localities such as Kothapet have intermittently appeared on global heat lists, with temperatures between 38°C and 41°C.
“The Kothapet belt behaves like a basin, trapping and retaining heat,” said G Sailu, an urban biodiversity researcher. He added that falling groundwater levels are worsening the situation, as groundwater helps regulate land surface temperatures.
Thunderstorms fail to ease heat across Telangana
Parts of Telangana witnessed scattered thunderstorms on Monday, but temperatures remained high. In Hyderabad, several areas recorded above 40°C.
Data from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) showed the highest temperature of 41.7°C at New Nagole, followed by 41.5°C in Santosh Nagar and Charminar. Other areas such as LB Nagar, Amberpet, Malkajgiri and Mehdipatnam also recorded temperatures above 41°C.
Even relatively cooler zones remained warm, with 39.7°C at the University of Hyderabad and 39.8°C at BHEL, Ramachandrapuram. Most areas remained in the alert category (40–45°C), indicating sustained heat stress.
The IMD said unstable conditions would continue over the next 24 hours. Thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds and hail are likely at isolated places in districts including Kothagudem, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Sangareddy and Kamareddy.
Similar conditions are expected across Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Warangal, Hanumakonda, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Vikarabad, Medak, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet and Jogulamba-Gadwal.
