There's no escaping the intense temperatures for the people in the heat-struck North India over the next 4-5 days till June 18 with mercury to hover between 44 and 47 degrees Celsius across regions like Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, parts of Jharkhand, southwest Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and north Rajasthan.
The national Capital recorded its highest temperature of 46.4 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar observatory on Thursday, significantly above normal levels.
Night-time temperatures are also elevated, exacerbating heat stress, leaving the residents at the receiving end as they prefer to stay indoors or look for shades when outdoors.
This marks the second heatwave spell in June, following the first from May 17 to June 5.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted severe heatwaves to persist across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, and other northern areas, with temperatures remaining 4-5 degrees Celsius above normal due to scant rainfall.
“The night-time temperatures are also surging past normal values worsening the heat-stress. The mercury has been hovering at least 4-5 degrees Celsius above-normal as rains elude the region,” added the IMD.
The heatwave currently affecting Northern India is quite intense, with extreme temperatures and severe conditions impacting a broad area.
As per the IMD, Northern parts of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Punjab, are experiencing severe heat wave conditions in certain areas. North Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal are also impacted. Other affected areas include parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, and isolated places in Rajasthan, said the IMD.
The highest recorded temperature was 47.2°C at Buxar in Bihar. There is no respite in night-time also with IMD stating that warm nights have been reported, with temperatures remaining high in parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and northwest Rajasthan.
Such high temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are at greater risk, said the IMD.
India reported nearly 25,000 suspected heat stroke cases and 56 deaths due to health-related causes from March to May, according to reports. May was especially severe, with temperatures in Delhi and Rajasthan reaching as high as 50 degrees Celsius. The IMD also warned that increased demand for electricity due to air conditioning and cooling devices can strain the power grid, potentially leading to power outages while higher water consumption during heat waves can lead to shortages, stressing the need for water conservation measures.
Crops and livestock are vulnerable to heat stress, which could affect agricultural productivity, warned the IMD.
