Rain likely on poll day, IMD issues yellow alert

HYDERABAD: Weather could play spoilsport on polling day as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for May 13, indicating heavy rains and thunderstorms in several parts of Telangana. The heavy downpour, accompanied with lightning as well as gusty winds, is expected to hit several districts including Ranga Reddy, Medak and Sangareddy.
“Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds (of 40 to 50 kmph) are very likely to occur in as many as 22 districts,” the IMD stated.
The districts which are likely to be affected by rains on election day are Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Janagaon, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet and Jogulamba Gadwal.
As for Hyderabad, the forecast indicates the possibility of light to moderate rainfall. “Expect intermittent showers rather than a prolonged downpour that was experienced on May 7,” said a senior official at IMD trying to allay the fears of people about rain disrupting smooth conduct of the electoral process and posing a challenge for voters trying to reach polling booths. .
But apart from voting day, IMD officials said Telangana is likely to experience rains on May 12 and May 14 as well.
Meanwhile, on Friday, temperatures across the state remained below 44 degrees Celsius. Nizamabad experienced the highest temperature – it touched 43.6 degrees — while Nirmal, Kamareddy, and Jagtial recorded temperatures of 42.1 degrees Celsius, 42 degrees Celsius, and 41.8 degrees Celsius, respectively. In Hyderabad, the temperatures stayed under 40 degrees Celsius, providing residents some relief from heat.