Amaravati: Rayalaseema region is reeling under intense heat as the day temperatures have gradually started shooting up, crossing the 40-degree Celsius mark in the last few days. Minimum temperatures are hovering around 23-25 degree Celsius in most parts of the state.

According to the weather office, Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool in Rayalaseema have been registering temperature of around 40 degree Celsius.

Anantapur city recorded a 1.6 degree increase in temperature in the last two days, with Wednesday's reading being 41.3 degree Celsius.

Kurnool also recorded 41 degree Celsius, while Kadapa is also inching towards the 40-degree mark. Temple-town Tirupati saw mercury rising above the 40-degree Celsius mark on Wednesday.

According to the weather office, Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool in Rayalaseema have been registering temperature of around 40 degree Celsius

Srikakulam in north coastal Andhra recorded 38 degree while Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada registered 37 and 35.6 degrees Celsius respectively. Nellore recorded 37 degree Celsius while temperatures in Vijayawada and Guntur in the state capital region Amaravati were around 38 degree Celsius.

It is expected that temperatures may rise by a couple of degrees this week in most parts of Rayalaseema and also in Amaravati while the summer heat may intensify in the second week of April, according to an official of the State Disaster Management Department.