Heat wave conditions prevailed in parts of Telangana and Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh with the maximum temperature crossing 44 degree Celsius at isolated places on Tuesday, the weather office said.

According to Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district of Telangana was the hottest place with mercury soaring to 44.2 degree Celsius. Plawancha in the same district recorded 44.1 degree.

Wyra in Khammam district of Telangana sizzled at 44 degree Celsius.

The maximum temperature at many places in Telangana and Rayalaseema remained over 40 degrees -- two to three degrees above average, the Met Office said.

It was 40 degree Celsius in Hyderabad, over 42 degree Celsius in Mahabubnagar and more than 41 degree Celsius in other places in Telangana.

In Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool was the hottest place at 42.9 degrees. It was 41.6 degrees in Anantapur and 40.2 degrees in Tirupati.

The Met department has forecast that maximum temperature may continue to be above normal by about two to three degrees over next the two days in both Telangana and Rayalaseema.

Earlier this week, the IMD had declared a 3-day heat wave in Andhra and asked people to take necessary precautions.

"While 460 mandals across the 13 districts have to be cautious about the heat index, 195 others in all the coastal districts will have to be extremely cautious. Hence, we appeal to the public to be careful during these three days," a press release from the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) stated.

Authorities in Telangana and Andhra have prepared an action plan to prevent deaths due to heat wave.

The IMD declares an official 'heat wave', if there a deviation of more than 5 degrees Celsius from the expected maximum temperature, and if this weather persists for two or three days.

IANS inputs