Likely to abate after two days in north, central, south India: IMD
Severe heatwave conditions continued to inflict torment on humans and animals across northern, northwest and central India as the maximum temperature recorded above 51 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued
heatwave red alert for Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra’s Vidarbha, Kutch and Saurashtra regions during the next four days and yellow alert for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
According to IMD, heatwave conditions are likely to continue over north Indian plains, central and south India for two more days and abate gradually. The maximum temperature in the national Capital was recorded 43 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
The temperature in Rajasthan’s Churu crossed 49 degrees Celsius on Sunday while temperature was recorded 50.8 degrees Celcius on Saturday which was nine degrees above the normal average and highest maximum temperature ever recorded in the city. The previous record for highest temperature in India was held by Alwar, also in Rajasthan, at 50.6 degrees Celsius (123.1 Fahrenheit) in 1956.
Sri Ganganagar was not far behind, with temperature peaking at 49.6 degrees Celsius, seven notches above average. The temperature in Jaisalmer recorded 49 degree Celsius.
The south has not fared any better and temperatures in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have also crossed the 44 degrees mark. IMD warned of severe heatwave conditions across north India for the next 48 hours.
The IMD also predicted that due to easterly winds at lower levels over northern parts of the country, the severity of the heatwave is very likely to decrease over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and Uttar Pradesh from Sunday onwards. It had earlier predicted for harsher summer this year. Much anticipated relief from the scorching heat will be awaited as monsoon has further delayed its onset over Kerala to June 7, Skymet weather said while revising its earlier forecast date.
A heat wave is usually declared when the maximum temperature remains above 45 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days. IMD said Churu had seen its maximum temperature exceeding 50 degree Celsius on May 19, 2016 when a maximum temperature of 50.2 degree Celsius was recorded. Heat wave also affected normal life in Rajasthan, where Bikaner recorded the highest temperature at 45.6 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature was above 45 degrees in several parts in the State including Ganganagar, Jaisalmer and Kota.
There was no respite from heatwave conditions in Punjab and Haryana, with Bhiwani recording a maximum of 45.6 degrees Celsius.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana also continued to reel under severe heatwave conditions with the mercury crossing the 46 degree celsius mark in a few places. Meanwhile, as many as 30 people have been died of heat stroke in Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra in the last 20 days. Parts of Saurashtra region in Gujarat continued to reel under heat wave conditions with maximum temperatures soaring in many cities abover 46 degree celsius.
According to the IMD, the maximum temperatures were markedly above normal (45-51 degree Celsius or more) at many places over central Maharashtra and in some parts of Himachal Pradesh, west Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh and north interior Karnataka.