The unexpected and sudden rise in temperature for the last three days that has thrown people to feel mid-May in last week of March is not expected to give any respite for at least a couple of days to come. Weather scientists believe that the sun is going to remain as brutal as it was with ultraviolet (UV) rays reaching on to earth in the region like never before, and that people have no other option than to take preventive measures to combat killing heatwave.
Unlike many other parts of the country where even death counts have started due to unexpected rise in temperature, Jharkhand has not reported any death so far. “But people need to take preventive measures to avoid unfavourable weather conditions. UV rays are reaching on this region of the country like never before due to certain reasons, people shouldn’t stay out in sun for more than five minutes with any part of the body uncovered to avoid sun-burn and heatstroke which might lead one to even death,” said Geologist Dr Nitish Priyadarshi, who has also been Professor in Ranchi University and studying on the behaviour of UV rays.
According to the Meteorological Department in Ranchi, maximum temperature of the city touched 39 degree Celsius which around 5 degree Celsius above normal in comparison to previous years on same day, with minimum at 23.2 degree Celsius which is also around 2 degree Celsius higher. However, maximum temperature of the day in Jamshedpur at 43 degree Celsius and of Daltonganj at 41.9 degree Celsius has broken records of a decade, said MeT (Ranchi) Director Vinay Kumar Mondal.
“Deforestation, disappearing ponds and water bodies in and around city and a couple of other reasons since last 5-6 years have led us face a May in March. Ozone layer above the region is decaying due to deforestation and uncovering of plateau area due to mining are adding exposure to heat and UV rays. Before any long term remedies take place to avert current situation, better will be not to get exposed to the sun and to take as much liquid as possible to stay away from dehydration,” said Priyadarshi.
Mondal said that the wind condition above north and northwest region of the country were responsible for sudden rise in temperature during these days. “Heatwaves are there to stay during mid sun hours of the day for a couple of days to come. However, April and May are going to have normal days like previous years with only a few days of sudden rise in temperature,” said Mondal.