Kalaburagi reels under extreme heat as temperature touches 45°C, orange alert issued

Kalaburagi, : Large parts of North Karnataka are reeling under intense heatwave conditions, with Kalaburagi district emerging as the hottest region in the state. On April 15, a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded in Aurad hobli, the highest in Karnataka this season, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre.

The heatwave has not been limited to Kalaburagi alone, with several surrounding regions also witnessing extreme temperatures. In Chincholi taluk’s Ainapur and Afzalpur taluk’s Atanoor hoblis, temperatures touched 44.3°C, while Aland taluk’s Madan Hipparga recorded 44.1°C.

Neighbouring districts are also facing similar conditions. In Bidar district, Santpur in Aurad taluk recorded 44.4°C, while Dabak in Kamalnagar taluk reported 44.1°C. In Raichur district, Gurugunta hobli in Lingasugur taluk also witnessed temperatures crossing 44°C.

As per KSNDMC data, several parts of the state have recorded temperatures above 42°C. Kalaburagi alone reported over 42°C at 24 locations, followed by Raichur (22 locations), Bidar (18), Vijayapura (14), Yadgir (11), and Bagalkot (7). Districts such as Ballari, Gadag, Koppal, and Uttara Kannada have also recorded temperatures above the 42°C mark in certain areas.

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre has forecast that heatwave conditions are likely to persist across parts of North Interior Karnataka from April 15 to 19. Coastal Karnataka is also expected to experience increased heat and humidity levels during this period.

In view of the worsening situation, the Kalaburagi district administration has issued an ‘orange heatwave alert’ from April 15 to 17. Authorities have advised the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and limit work under direct sunlight, especially during peak afternoon hours.

Meanwhile, public concern has surfaced over the strict enforcement of traffic rules despite the extreme weather. At busy junctions such as SVP Circle, traffic police have been seen penalising riders for not wearing helmets, leading to criticism from commuters.

Many residents have urged authorities to consider temporary measures, such as suspending traffic signals during peak afternoon hours, to ease public discomfort amid the severe heatwave.