As the scorching heat continues to affect residents across the state, the State Disaster Management Authority has announced the possibility of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in several districts. The weather changes are attributed to a surface circulation persisting over North Tamil Nadu and a trough extending into South Telangana.

The Authority has forecast light to moderate rainfall on Thursday in districts including Bapatla, Markapuram, Prakasam, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Chittoor, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Polavaram, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Palnadu, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Kurnool, Nandyal, and Tirupati. The public has been advised to remain alert, as there is a risk of lightning strikes in certain areas.

Meanwhile, the intensity of the heatwave is increasing. On Wednesday, the highest temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius was recorded in Salur, Parvathipuram Manyam district. Other areas experiencing high temperatures include Kukunoor in Eluru district at 41.6 degrees and Kunavaram in Polavaram district at 41.6 degrees, with S. Rayavaram in Anakapalli district recording 41.5 degrees.

An alert warns that temperatures may reach between 45 and 46 degrees Celsius in parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Polavaram, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, East and West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, and Guntur districts on Thursday.

The heatwave has also resulted in two fatalities. Officials reported that on Wednesday, Simhachalam Panigrahi (68) of Palasapuram and Nadipudi Krishnarao (36) of Ranganathapuram, both from Srikakulam district, succumbed to heatstroke. Medical experts have urged residents to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest hours, stay well-hydrated, and exercise caution, especially for the elderly and children.