Hyderabad — The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an urgent advisory warning of oppressive heat and humidity in five key districts of Telangana on Tuesday, July 16, 2026, creating conditions that health experts say pose significant risks to public well-being. The affected districts—Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Sangareddy, and Vikarabad—are expected to experience daytime temperatures between 36°C and 38°C, with relative humidity exceeding 65%, pushing the “feels-like” temperature above 42°C in some areas.
The advisory, while stopping short of declaring a formal heatwave, has triggered a coordinated response from state and local authorities, including the deployment of cooling centers, water tankers, and public health warnings. The combination of high heat and humidity—often overlooked in traditional heatwave definitions—has emerged as a growing concern in Telangana, where urbanization and climate change are intensifying the impact of extreme weather.
What Happened
The IMD’s bulletin, issued late Monday evening, forecast “hot and humid conditions” for the five districts, with the highest discomfort levels expected between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The “feels-like” temperature, a metric that accounts for humidity’s effect on perceived heat, is projected to surpass 42°C in localized pockets, despite actual air temperatures remaining below the 40°C threshold required for a formal heatwave declaration.
The Telangana State Disaster Management Authority (TSDMA) responded by issuing a public advisory urging residents to take precautions, including:
– Staying hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals, even if not thirsty.
– Avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly during peak afternoon hours.
– Wearing light, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing.
– Using hats, umbrellas, and sunscreen when outdoors.
– Limiting strenuous physical activity, especially for vulnerable groups.
Local authorities in Hyderabad and Rangareddy have activated emergency measures, including:
– Cooling centers: Temporary relief shelters have been set up in community halls, government offices, and public libraries, equipped with fans, drinking water, and first-aid facilities.
– Water distribution: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has deployed water tankers in high-risk areas, particularly in informal settlements and construction sites where access to cooling infrastructure is limited.
– Public awareness campaigns: Municipal workers and volunteers are distributing pamphlets and broadcasting advisories via loudspeakers in densely populated neighborhoods.
Why It Matters
The advisory highlights a critical gap in how extreme weather risks are communicated and managed in India. While the IMD’s formal heatwave criteria—based solely on temperature thresholds—remain unchanged, the inclusion of humidity in public advisories reflects a growing recognition of its role in heat-related illnesses. Humidity reduces the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration, even at temperatures below 40°C.
Public Health Risks
Health officials warn that the combination of heat and humidity can be particularly dangerous for:
– The elderly, whose bodies are less efficient at regulating temperature.
– Children, who are more susceptible to dehydration.
– Outdoor workers, including construction laborers, street vendors, and agricultural workers, who lack access to cooling facilities.
– Individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.
Dr. K. Srinivas, a public health expert at the Telangana State Medical Services, told Herald Express that humidity-related heat stress is often underestimated. “In dry heat, the body can still cool itself through evaporation. But when humidity is high, sweat doesn’t evaporate as easily, leading to a rapid rise in core body temperature. This can cause heatstroke within minutes, even in seemingly moderate temperatures.”
Urban Heat Island Effect
Hyderabad’s urban landscape exacerbates the problem. The city’s rapid expansion, coupled with the replacement of green spaces with concrete and asphalt, has intensified the “urban heat island” effect—a phenomenon where urban areas become significantly warmer than their rural surroundings. A 2025 study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad found that parts of the city experience nighttime temperatures up to 5°C higher than surrounding rural areas, reducing the body’s ability to recover from daytime heat exposure.
Background and Context
Telangana has long been prone to extreme heat, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C. However, the past decade has seen a shift in the nature of heat-related risks, with humidity playing an increasingly dominant role. The IMD’s data shows that while average summer temperatures in the state have risen by 0.5°C to 1°C over the past 30 years, humidity levels during the pre-monsoon months (April-June) have increased by 8-10% in urban areas.
Climate Change and Changing Weather Patterns
Meteorologists attribute the rising humidity to a combination of factors, including:
– Delayed monsoons: The southwest monsoon, which typically arrives in Telangana by early June, has been arriving later in recent years, extending the period of high heat and humidity.
– Increased moisture from the Bay of Bengal: Warmer sea surface temperatures have led to higher evaporation rates, increasing atmospheric moisture content.
– Urbanization: The loss of wetlands and green cover in cities like Hyderabad has reduced natural cooling mechanisms, trapping heat and moisture.
A 2024 report by the Indian Meteorological Society warned that Telangana could see a 20-30% increase in “humid heatwave” days—defined as days with a “feels-like” temperature above 40°C—by 2030 if current trends continue.
Policy and Preparedness Gaps
Despite the growing threat, India’s heatwave preparedness framework remains focused on temperature thresholds, with little emphasis on humidity. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) classifies heatwaves based on deviations from normal temperatures, rather than the combined impact of heat and humidity. This has led to criticism from public health experts, who argue that the current system underestimates risks in high-humidity regions.
In response, some states, including Telangana, have begun incorporating “feels-like” temperatures into their advisories. However, these efforts remain inconsistent. A 2025 audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India found that only 12 of India’s 28 states had updated their heat action plans to account for humidity, and even fewer had allocated sufficient funds for public cooling infrastructure.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The IMD’s decision not to declare a formal heatwave has drawn mixed reactions. Some experts argue that the advisory is a step in the right direction, as it acknowledges the real-world impact of humidity. Others, however, contend that the lack of a formal declaration could lead to complacency among authorities and the public.
Criticism of IMD’s Criteria
Dr. R. Krishnan, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), told Herald Express that the IMD’s heatwave definition is outdated. “The current criteria were developed in the 1980s, when humidity was less of a concern. Today, we know that humidity can make 38°C feel like 45°C. The IMD needs to update its thresholds to reflect this reality.”
The IMD, however, defends its approach. In a statement to Herald Express, an IMD spokesperson said, “Our advisories are based on a combination of temperature, humidity, and other meteorological factors. While we have not declared a heatwave, we have issued a specific warning for hot and humid conditions, which carries its own set of risks. The public should take these advisories seriously.”
Public Awareness and Compliance
Another area of uncertainty is the effectiveness of public health advisories. A 2025 survey by the Telangana State Planning Board found that only 42% of residents in Hyderabad were aware of the IMD’s “feels-like” temperature metric, and even fewer understood its implications. The survey also revealed that outdoor workers, who are most at risk, were the least likely to take precautions, citing economic pressures and lack of access to cooling facilities.
What to Watch Next
As Telangana braces for another summer of extreme weather, several key developments will shape the state’s response to heat and humidity risks:
1. IMD’s Potential Policy Shift
The IMD is reportedly reviewing its heatwave criteria, with a proposal to incorporate humidity into its formal definitions. A decision is expected by the end of 2026, which could lead to more frequent and targeted advisories.
2. State Government’s Heat Action Plan
The Telangana government is finalizing an updated heat action plan, which is expected to include:
– Mandatory cooling breaks for outdoor workers.
– Expansion of green spaces and urban forests to mitigate the heat island effect.
– Subsidies for low-income households to install cool roofs and energy-efficient fans.
– A public awareness campaign to educate residents about humidity-related risks.
3. Monsoon Arrival and Relief
The southwest monsoon is expected to arrive in Telangana by late June or early July, which could bring relief from the current conditions. However, meteorologists warn that the monsoon’s onset has been increasingly erratic, with some years seeing delays of up to two weeks.
4. Public Health Data
Health officials will be closely monitoring heat-related illness data in the coming weeks. The Telangana State Medical Services has directed all government hospitals to report cases of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration on a daily basis. This data will be used to assess the effectiveness of current advisories and emergency measures.
5. Urban Planning Reforms
The GHMC is under pressure to accelerate its “Cool Hyderabad” initiative, which aims to increase the city’s green cover from 12% to 33% by 2030. The project includes the development of urban forests, rooftop gardens, and reflective pavements to reduce heat absorption.
Conclusion
The IMD’s advisory for Telangana’s five districts serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of heat-related risks in India. While the state has long grappled with high temperatures, the growing influence of humidity—amplified by climate change and urbanization—demands a rethinking of how heatwaves are defined, communicated, and managed.
For now, residents in the affected districts are urged to treat the advisory with the same seriousness as a formal heatwave warning. As Dr. Srinivas of the Telangana State Medical Services put it, “The thermometer may not read 40°C, but the danger is very real. Ignoring humidity is like ignoring half the problem.”
With the monsoon still weeks away, the coming days will test the state’s preparedness—and its ability to adapt to a changing climate.
Story synopsis gathered from: [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/hot-and-humid-conditions-to-prevail-in-five-telangana-districts-on-july-16/article71224789.ece) — source.
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source.
