City reels under humid weather, temperatures touch 36°Celsius

Visakhapatnam faces extreme humidity causing dehydration, high heat index, and increased demand for coconut water.

The city of Visakhapatnam is grappling with unbearable humidity that is causing excessive sweating and dehydration, especially among women and elders.

Meteorologists said: “Although the maximum temperatures recorded over the past few days were between 32°Celsius and 36°Celsius, residents are experiencing heat index as high as 40°Celsius to 45°Celsius due to high humidity levels.

So what is Heat Index? Emeritus professor Prof. O.S.R.U. Bhanu Kumar, Andhra University Meteorology, speaking to The Hindu from the U.S said: “People may perceive high relative humidity (RH) levels as high temperature, but that is not true. For example, if the temperature at a particular place (Visakhapatnam beach) is 30° Celsius, people living in that area will perceive it as 40° Celsius if RH levels are high. This is called the Heat Index.

Retired defence employee M. Vijaya Raghava Babu said: “The severe weather conditions have led cases of dehydration and a surge in demand for fruit juices and coconut water, with prices of coconut water reaching ₹140 and ₹150 per litre.

According to the Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC) in Visakhapatnam, the city’s relative humidity (RH) in the Waltair meteorological observation area was 82%, while at the airport was 72% on Monday. As a result the maximum temperature recorded was 35.5° Celsius.

Mr. Bhanu Kumar said: “The RH levels in Waltair on Monday were higher than the normal that the human body can tolerate leading to profuse sweating. RH levels should be below 40-45% for comfort. However, by the end of May, first week of June, the city may see RH levels exceed above 90%. The high RH values will continue even after the onset of the southwest monsoon, which may be in the second week of June in Visakhapatnam.”

High humidity levels lead to two things - rains and excessive sweating. Humidity in the air can be measured by four parameters, including the levels of RH values. If the RH value is high, the atmosphere will be humid and there will also be thunderstorms in the evenings, he said.