Mon Dec 16 08:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Telangana Shivers Under Severe Cold Wave
**Hyderabad, Telangana –** A severe cold wave swept across Telangana on Monday, plunging temperatures to record lows in several districts, including Greater Hyderabad. The state’s average minimum temperature plummeted to 11.2 degrees Celsius, a significant 5.5 degrees below normal.
Adilabad district bore the brunt of the cold, recording the lowest temperature at 7.9 degrees Celsius (6.7 degrees below normal). Bheempoor in Adilabad was the coldest spot in the state, with a chilling 6 degrees Celsius. Several other locations, including Zahirabad, Bantwaram, Ibrahimpatnam, and Sirpur, also experienced temperatures below 7 degrees. A total of 27 out of 33 districts reported minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.
Even Greater Hyderabad felt the intense cold, with Moulali and HCU areas registering a minimum temperature of 7.1 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the city, including BHEL, Rajendranagar, and Gachibowli, also experienced significantly lower than average temperatures.
The unusually low temperatures led to deserted roads and thin vehicular traffic in the morning, as residents stayed indoors to escape the cold. Many resorted to bonfires for warmth, while school children and commuters faced significant hardships.
The Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS) and the health department issued advisories urging residents to take precautions against the cold and the increased risk of respiratory illnesses such as influenza. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting further temperature drops, health authorities are on high alert for a potential surge in acute respiratory infections.
First Piper 