It is still March but a large swathe of the country is already in the grip of fierce heat conditions. With temperature crossing 40 degrees Celsius in many places, people are bracing up for a torrid time. Is this scorcher of a summer going to be a record-busterIJ The weather forecasters have not yet addressed this concern, though most of them have projected a grim scenario.
Though Delhiites woke up to a sunny and humid morning with the minimum temperature recorded at 22 degrees C, five notches above the season’s average, the Sun became harsher by the day and mercury touched 37.8 degrees C.
Mumbai too burnt at 38.4 degrees C, five notches above the season’s average while Thane sweltered at 43.1 degrees C. However, it was Barmer in Rajasthan that recorded the highest temperature on Tuesday at 44.4 degrees C, which is at least seven degrees above the normal levels. Ahmedabad recorded 42.8 degrees C, the highest in last six years. The weathermen have already predicted an “above normal” summer with occurrence of heat wave at several places. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum and minimum temperatures have risen over above the normal by 4-6 degrees C under the influence of prevailing winds and clear sky conditions over north-west and adjoining central India and approaching western disturbance over western Himalayan region.
“It has led to the heat wave conditions at a few places over West Rajasthan and Gujarat and at isolated places over west Madhya Pradesh during past 24 hours,” IMD said. The IMD has predicted that the heat wave conditions are likely to continue over West Rajasthan, Gujarat and west Madhya Pradesh during the next two-three days.
The IMD said maximum temperature is expected to rise by 1-2 degrees Celsius and spatial coverage of heat wave is likely to expand further over north Madhya Maharashtra and Vidarbha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, even as moderate to strong surface winds will prevail over Indo-Gangetic plains during the next 48 hours.
Another weather watch agency Skymetweather too predicted that severe heat wave would continue in parts of Rajasthan, north and west MP, Gujarat, Vidarbha, some parts of Odisha and adjoining Chhattisgarh. It said warm nights are expected over Rajasthan and adjoining Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat.
However, Skymetweather predicted some relief for Mumbai saying weather conditions are likely to take a U-turn, but just for a while. “Temperatures are likely to drop by 2-3 degrees in next 48 hours. Winds which will be coming in from Arabian Sea will increase uneasiness for Mumbaikars,” Skymet Weather’s Chief Meteorologist Mahesh Palawat said.
Skymetweather also predicted rain and thunder squalls at many places over the Northeastern States including Sub-Himalayan West Bengal with isolated heavy rain over Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Isolated rain and thundershowers may occur over northeast Bihar, West Bengal, adjoining coastal Odisha, Jharkhand, parts of Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. And while windy conditions may prevail along the Gangetic plains uneasy hot and humid weather conditions will continue over Telangana, Rayalaseema and many parts of southern states, Skymetweather claimed.
Skymetweather has announced that monsoon this year is likely to remain below normal at 95 per cent for the four-month period from June to September. The IMD along with the State Governments is making efforts for dissemination of information on heat wave, death tolls which stood was more than 700 last year, and ways to reduce the number of such casualties.