Heatwave alert in Nandyal, Kurnool till May 26; Collectors order water, ORS at public places

The Nandyal and Kurnool district administrations on Thursday (May 21, 2026) have warned of a severe heatwave in the two districts over the next week.

Nandyal Collector Rajakumari Ganiya said intense heat was likely to continue until May 26, and urged the elderly, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses to take special precautions.

She advised people to stay indoors in the afternoon except in an emergency, and to finish unavoidable outdoor work before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.

She directed officials to take special precautions for workers under panchayats, municipalities, the Employment Guarantee Scheme and other public works. Such work should be scheduled for the early morning or evening, she said, and asked officials to provide drinking water, shade and rest facilities for the workers.

A man carrying a newly bought air cooler on his two-wheeler in Kurnool on Thursday, amid the severe heat.
| Photo Credit:
U. Subramanyam

Officials were directed to provide adequate drinking water at bus stands, markets, junctions, hospitals, schools, government offices and labour assembly points. Temporary water kiosks should be set up wherever necessary, she said.

Ms. Rajakumari asked officials to identify vulnerable groups such as the homeless and the elderly, and to provide them with ORS packets, first-aid supplies and drinking water through ward-level teams.

Urban local bodies were also directed to place water bowls and earthen pots in parks, markets and public spaces for stray animals and birds, and to have them refilled regularly.

Kurnool Collector A. Siri directed municipal commissioners and officials to take immediate preparedness and relief measures, and said special attention must be paid to preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths. She directed officials to ensure adequate drinking water at bus stands, markets, traffic junctions, labour assembly points, hospitals, schools, government offices, shelter centres and other crowded areas.

She called for cooling shelters, shaded resting areas, free water distribution centres and temporary water kiosks. The Collector ordered municipal commissioners and officials to personally supervise the measures every day.

State-wide alert

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) warned that severe heatwave conditions were likely to continue across several parts of the State over the next four days, and advised people to avoid travel during the peak afternoon hours.

The season’s highest temperature so far, 47.6 degrees Celsius, was recorded at Piduguralla in Palnadu district, and the mercury crossed 45 degrees Celsius in 11 districts, the APSDMA said.

(With inputs from PTI)