New Delhi: The scorching heatwave conditions continue to prevail in several parts of the country, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a ‘red’ alert for Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. The IMD has predicted a maximum temperature of 46 degrees in Delhi.
In Mungeshpur and Narela, 49.9 degrees Celsius was recorded. This is nine notches above the normal temperature for this time of the year. Najafgarh was recorded at 49.8 degrees Celsius, while Pitampura and Pusa recorded 48.5 degrees.
Experts have attributed headwaves from Rajasthan as a key contributing factor for the extreme heat in Delhi. Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather said, “In open areas with vacant land, there is increased radiation. Direct sunlight and lack of shade make these regions exceptionally hot.”
“Parts of Delhi are particularly susceptible to the early arrival of these hot winds, worsening the already severe weather. Areas like Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh are the first to experience the full force of these hot winds,” Kuldeep Srivastava, the regional head of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Beyond Delhi, Varanasi and Gaya (Bihar) recorded the maximum temperature of 47.6 °C and 46.8 °C respectively.
“Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are very likely in many or most parts of Rajasthan; in some or many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi; in isolated parts of West Uttar Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh during May 27th-29th and gradual reduction thereafter,” the IMD said in its bulletin.
According to the weather department, heat wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of east Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Jammu division till May 29 and in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh till May 30.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rajasthan’s Churu recorded the highest temperature in the country at 50.5 degrees Celsius.
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