13 districts record over 47°C in Rajasthan
JAIPUR: Rajasthan is reeling under a severe heat wave as nearly all its districts have registered a temperature above 45°C in the last 24 hours.
As many as 13 of the 33 districts have witnessed a temperature of 47°C and above in the last 24 hours, leaving the people confined to their houses to avoid the scorching sun.
Sri Ganganagar registered the highest temperature of 48.1°C in the state while Karauli and Baran came in second with 47.8°C, making them the three hotest places in the state.
Pilani registered 47.7°C while Jaisalmer had 47.5°C, Bikaner had 47.4°C, Dholpur had 47.6°C, Bundi had 47°C, Kota had 47.2°C and Hanumangarh had 47.1°C temperature.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted winds around Jaipur ater 24 hours, which will bring some respite as the temperature will come down by two to three degrees celsius.
Separately, in its latest forecast on Saturday, the Regional Centre of the IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rains in several districts of Tamil Nadu till May 17.
The affected areas are Salem, Dharmapuri, Tiruchi, Peramballur, Namakkal, and Thanjavur, according to the forecase.
The centre has also predicted moderate to heavy rain in Tiruvarur, Nagapatinam, Kallakurichi, Myladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tirupatur, and Vellore areas in the coming days.
Thunderstorms with light to heavy rain is also predicted over Chennai and adjoining districts on these days, it added.
The maximum temperature is likely to be around 34°C and the minimum at 24°C.
Velankanni received the highest amount of rainfall on Friday followed by Talavadi in Erode and Yercaud in Salem.
The Tamil Nadu Chief secretary has sent directions to all district collectors, rapid response force, emergency departments, police, revenue, and health officials to be on high alert following the report from the weatherman.
Meanwhile, the IMD on Saturday forecast hot and dry weather for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh during the next 24 hours.
“Hot and dry weather is expected in J&K and Ladakh during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MET department said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar registered 14.2°C, Pahalgam 5.8°C and Gulmarg 9°C as the minimum temperature.
Drass in Ladakh had 0.6°C, Leh 6.0°C and Kargil 8.2°C as the minimum temperature.