New Delhi, May 17 -- Temperatures across large parts of India are expected to climb sharply over the coming days, with the India Meteorological Department warning that Delhi and surrounding regions could see maximums of 45 degrees Celsius between May 18 and May 20, as another heatwave cycle takes hold over the northern and central parts of the country.
The IMD confirmed on May 17 that both daytime and nighttime temperatures were already "markedly above normal" across several states on May 16. In parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat, readings were running more than five degrees Celsius above seasonal averages. The highest temperature recorded on May 16 was 46 degrees Celsius, logged at Amraoti and Wardha in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region.
Heatwave alerts are now in place across a wide stretch of the country. The IMD said heatwave conditions are likely over some pockets of Rajasthan from May 17 to 23, and over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi from May 18 to 23. Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha are expected to remain under heatwave conditions until May 21, while Chhattisgarh faces similar conditions on May 20 and 21. Telangana is under heatwave watch from May 17 to 23, and western Rajasthan may additionally see unusually warm nights on May 17 and 18.
The situation in Uttar Pradesh is being watched closely. The IMD has forecast that heatwave conditions will persist there until May 23, and warned that isolated pockets of the state could see these worsen into a "severe heatwave" between May 19 and May 23. Under IMD classifications, a severe heatwave is declared when maximum temperatures exceed 47 degrees Celsius or rise more than 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal. A standard heatwave is declared when temperatures cross 45 degrees Celsius or climb between 4.5 and 6.4 degrees above normal.
Across most of central India, northern peninsular India, and large parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana, maximum temperatures were already sitting between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius as of May 16. The IMD has also predicted a further rise of three to five degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures across many parts of northwest India over the next three to four days.
This is not the first such episode this season. A heatwave had already swept through parts of the country around April 13, with the IMD issuing alerts across several states until approximately April 29. That period also brought reports of heat-related deaths. Two school teachers died in Odisha from sunstroke on April 24 and 25 while carrying out census-related fieldwork. In West Bengal, at least four deaths were reported during the first phase of assembly election voting on April 23.
Not all parts of the country are facing the same conditions. The IMD has also announced that the Southwest Monsoon is likely to arrive over Kerala around May 26, with a margin of plus or minus four days. Conditions are already becoming favourable for the monsoon to advance into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the remaining sections of the Andaman Islands over the next two to three days. Heavy rainfall is expected over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and parts of northeast India in the coming days. An orange alert for thunderstorms with hail has been issued for Karnataka, while thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected over Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Health authorities have advised people to avoid going out during afternoon hours, drink enough water and limit outdoor activity where possible. The warnings are particularly directed at outdoor workers, the elderly and children, who face the highest health risks as temperatures continue to rise across the region.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.