NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures and more-than-usual heat wave days in northwest India from April to June. According to the weather watchdog, this early baking has all the hallmarks of climate change. Several states have been grappling to endure the high temperatures posing challenges for residents and authorities alike.
According to a report by experts, heatwave conditions have persisted in isolated areas of Gangetic West Bengal for the past 5 days, coastal Andhra Pradesh for the past 3 days, and Bihar for the past 2 days.
WEST BENGAL: In response to the heat, all educational institutions in the state have been instructed to remain closed for a week starting from April 17th. An orange alert has been issued for the state.
ODISHA: Has been recording scorching temperatures reaching 43.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday, marking the highest recorded temperature this month.
BIHAR: On Sunday, the Bihar Mausam Sewa Kendra, a unit of the state’s planning and development department, reported that 150 blocks across various districts were experiencing conditions similar to a heatwave. A yellow warning has been issued for isolated areas in the northeast and southern regions of the state for heatwave conditions on Monday and Tuesday, and in the southern parts of the state on Wednesday and Thursday.
MAHARASHTRA: As per media reports, a dozen died due to heat stroke at the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony held in Navi Mumbai on Sunday afternoon. The nearest weather station to the spot of the event recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.
As per data from the IMD, in mid-April, more than 10 districts in Maharashtra have experienced maximum daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, with Chandrapur recording the highest temperature at 43.2 degrees Celsius, while south Mumbai has been comparatively “cooler” with a temperature of 31.6 degrees Celsius.
DELHI: Capital city in the meanwhile, is expected to get relief from tepid temperatures as per latest update by the IMD.
Delhi logged six heatwave spells in the summer season last year, the deadliest being in mid-May when the maximum temperature soared to 49 degrees Celsius at some places. The city saw nine heatwave days in April last year, including four in the first 10 days, which was the maximum in the month since 2010. It had recorded a high of 43.5 degrees Celsius on April 28 and April 29 last year. This was the highest maximum temperature on an April day in Delhi in 12 years.