Telangana Heatwave: 45°C Highs Cause Deaths and Power Surges

Telangana is caught in a relentless grip of extreme heat, with multiple districts registering temperatures well past 44°C. Latest reports indicate that eight districts recorded highs exceeding this mark, while the majority of the state experienced temperatures above 42°C. This severe thermal assault has prompted widespread concern and official warnings.

The scale of the heatwave is stark: eight districts breached the 44°C threshold, with Nizamabad's Kondur identified as reaching a season-high of 45.3°C on Tuesday, according to data from the Telangana Development Planning Society (TDPPS). More precise figures from Saturday reveal specific locations like Chaprala in Adilabad and Madugulapally in Nalgonda hitting 44.1°C. Across the state, all 33 districts have been subjected to elevated temperatures, with at least 10 districts recording 44°C or more on certain days.

The intensity of the heat has triggered significant alerts. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) extended an orange alert across all districts until April 26, signalling a serious heatwave warning. This alert was issued after at least 12 districts, including Kumuram Bheem, Jagtial, Kamareddy, and Nalgonda, reported maximum temperatures surpassing 44°C. Some areas have been designated as 'red alert zones' after enduring extreme temperatures for consecutive days, signalling an intensified need for government intervention.

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The punishing heat has not been without consequence. Reports from late April 2025 indicate that this severe weather has claimed around a dozen lives, with recorded fatalities in the Adilabad and Nizamabad regions, and specifically in Nirmal district which saw a high of 45.4°C. The overall district-wise average maximum temperature across Telangana was noted at 42.1 degrees Celsius on one occasion, with Hyderabad's Moosarambagh, Uppal, and Bowenpally recording 42.1 degrees on a particular Wednesday.

The increased temperatures have also strained infrastructure, leading to a surge in power demand. On a recent Tuesday, the peak power demand within the GHMC limits reached 4,117 MW. Earlier in the week, the state's power demand stood at 3,900 MW.

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Meteorological experts had warned of further temperature increases, projecting them to rise for at least six more days from mid-April 2026. This forecast prompted the state government to issue high alerts and direct immediate relief measures. While some forecasts suggested potential relief with rains expected around April 19, 2026, the immediate reality remains one of extreme heat.

Background Data:

The Telangana Development and Planning Society (TGDPS) and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) are the primary sources for the temperature and alert data. These reports primarily emerged around late April 2025 and late April 2026, highlighting a recurring severe heat event.