Spell of intense heat in north and central India
Heatwave conditions likely to last entire week, says IMD
New Delhi: Heatwave conditions have been predicted this week in large parts of northwest and central India, as the mercury inched towards the 45 degree mark in many places on Monday.
Isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi are expected to witness heat wave conditions between Monday and May 24, while heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are set to hit parts of Uttar Pradesh from Tuesday onwards, the weather office said.
Bhatinda in Punjab reeled under intense heat with a high of 47 degrees Celsius during the day, while parts of Haryana and Rajasthan also crossed 46 degrees.
Parts of Delhi was recorded at 44 degrees Celsius, with the city staring at an extended spell of punishing heat in the upcoming week and no immediate relief in sight.
Dry scorching winds and relentless heat made it difficult for daytime commuters in the city.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s base station at Safdarjung logged a maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees Celsius.
Ridge station was the hottest at 44.6 degrees Celsius, while Lodhi Road was recorded at 43.8 degrees Celsius, a sharp 4.8 degrees above normal. This was the hottest May day in two years.
“The northwesterly winds are sweeping into the national capital from the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan and parts of central Pakistan. Travelling across vast arid stretches, these winds turn intensely dry by the time they reach Delhi, trapping heat close to the surface and sharply intensifying the searing conditions across the city,” said Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather.
Palawat further said that night temperatures have remained high over the past few days due to intense daytime heating.
There is no forecast of thunderstorms or pre-monsoon rainfall activity over the next 10 days, which is further worsening the situation, he said.
For Tuesday, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions within the city and weather experts said the temperature may hit 45 degrees in the next two days.
Meanwhile, the peak power demand in the national capital soared to 7542 MW, the highest so far this summer. The all-time high peak power demand of Delhi was 8656 MW two years back.
In Rajasthan, Pilani and Chittorgarh were the hottest places, where the maximum temperature was recorded at 46.2 degrees Celsius each.
Sri Ganganagar recorded 46.1 degrees followed by 46 degrees in Bikaner, 45.6 degrees in Vanasthali, 45.5 degrees in Fatehpur, 45.3 degrees in Kota, and 45.1 degrees each in Barmer and Churu.
Almost all cities across the state recorded maximum temperatures above 41 degrees on Monday, with Jaipur at 43.6 degrees.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, the weather is likely to remain dry across the state for the week. Heatwave conditions are expected at isolated places in the border areas of western Rajasthan and parts of the south-eastern region.
The department also forecast strong dusty surface winds blowing at speeds of 20-30 kmph over western, northern and eastern parts of the state during the next 4-5 days.
The maximum temperatures across Punjab and Haryana further rose on Monday, intensifying the ongoing heat wave, with Bathinda reeling at 47 degrees Celsius and Sirsa recording 46.2 degrees Celsius.
Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, also recorded the season’s hottest day so far at 42 degrees Celsius.
According to the Met here, Faridkot was recorded at 46.4 degrees Celsius, Amritsar 42 degrees, Ludhiana 42.2 degrees and Patiala 44 degrees Celsius.
In Haryana, Rohtak, Narnaul and Hisar recorded respective highs of 45.2 degrees, 44.3 degrees and 44.4 degrees while it was 42 degrees Celsius in Gurugram.
In Himachal Pradesh, key tourist destinations saw a rise in temperatures. Dharamshala recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees, followed by Manali at 28.4 degrees, Shimla at 28.2 degrees and Kufri at 23.8 degrees Celsius.
However, the Shimla Met office on Monday predicted a wet spell in the state for the next six days from May 19 to 24.
It also issued a yellow warning of thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds (speed 30-40 kmph), likely at isolated places in Chamba, Kangra and Kullu for May 21 and Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi on May 22.
Dry weather prevailed in the state in the past 24 hours since Sunday evening. Kukumseri was the coldest at night recording a low of 4.3 degrees Celsius, while Una was the hottest during the day with a high of 39.7 degrees Celsius.
The IMD, in its special bulletin for heat waves, stated that a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3 degrees is likely over many parts of northwest India from Monday to May 24, and by 3-4 degrees Celsius over Chhattisgarh till May 21.
“No significant change in maximum temperatures is likely over Maharashtra and Gujarat till May 18, followed by a gradual decrease of maximum temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius between May 19 and May 24,” it said.
“No significant change in maximum temperatures is likely over the rest of the country till May 24,” the department added.
Isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Rajasthan, and East Rajasthan are expected to witness heat wave conditions between Monday and May 24. In West Uttar Pradesh and East Uttar Pradesh, heat wave to severe heat wave conditions can occur between Tuesday and May 24, according to the IMD.
Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and parts of Maharashtra are also likely to see heat wave conditions in isolated pockets on different dates between Monday and May 24.
Isolated pockets in Bihar and Telangana are expected to witness heat wave conditions on different dates between Monday and May 21.
These conditions can prevail over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from May 20 to May 24.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Union health ministry, in coordination with the Ayush ministry, has issued an advisory suggesting cooling refreshments, breathing techniques and yoga practices to reduce heat stress amid rising temperatures.
The advisory emphasised adequate hydration, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during afternoon hours, wearing light cotton clothing, and consuming seasonal fruits and electrolyte-rich fluids.
Special precautions have also been advised for workplaces, public gatherings and outdoor activities, including provision of shaded rest areas, regular hydration breaks, acclimatisation measures for workers and awareness creation regarding symptoms of heat stress.
