Now, here comes the first cold wave

With temperatures in Adilabad, Nizamabad and Medak districts in Telangana plunging to 9-11 degrees Celsius, meteorology officials warned of a severe cold wave gripping Telangana and forecast that the chill may go on for 48 hours.

“Tempertures are falling due to the northerly dry cold winds blowing in the state, particularly in Telangana and Rayalaseema,” assistant meteorologist M Narasimha Rao said. Day and night temperatures are expected to fall by three to five degrees Celsius from Saturday night, he said. Cyclone Nilam, as it retreated, took away the rain clouds with it but paved way for a cold spell in the state, especially in the hilly areas. In Telangana and Rayalaseema, night temperatures are 5-6 degrees Celsius below normal.

“A cold wave is common in the second or third week of November every year. But this year’s temperature dip is slightly more than last year’s,” said the met official.