Heatwave grips India with no respite in sight
IMD FORECAST Severe heat in Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana likely to continue till May 28
NEW DELHI: Several Indian cities faced heat wave conditions with maximum temperature hovering over 45 degrees Celsius on Saturday and no respite is expected in the next few days.
Severe heat waves are likely to impact parts of northwest, central and peninsular India in next four to five days, while many parts of northeast India will experience very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall during the same period, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement on Saturday.
The heat wave is likely to affect relief and rehabilitation work related to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic that is ongoing in many parts of the country. However, with a lockdown still in effect across India, albeit with considerable relaxation of restrictions, there is not likely to be as much movement of people or vehicles as there might have been otherwise.
Still, the heatwave is likely to affect normal life — and also be felt very hard. April and much of May have been much milder than they usually are, especially in Delhi and parts of the northern plains.
IMD has issued an orange alert in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh from May 24 to 27 for heat wave; in west and east Rajasthan for heat wave
and severe heat wave; and in Vidarbha for heat wave .An orange alert is issued when a heat wave is likely to persist for more than four days or a severe heat wave for more than two days. There is a high chance of heat related illness such as a heat stroke for people exposed to sun for prolonged hours or doing heavy work; children, elderly and people with chronic diseases are also vulnerable.
IMD has suggested that people avoid heat exposure and stay hydrated.
“Dry and hot north-westerly are blowing from the land. There are also clear skies. A western disturbance is affecting the Western Himalayan region now but it’s very feeble and is affecting only the hills. Heat wave conditions will intensify and continue till May 28,” said K Sathi Devi, head, national weather forecasting centre.
The national capital continued to bake on Saturday — the Safdarjung weather station recorded 44.7° C, a full five degrees above normal — and scientists at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warn that the capital could see the heat wave continue in the first half of next week.
If anything, it will only become hotter.
“Till May 27, there will be no respite. The maximum temperature can go up to 46- 47° C in the Capital because of dry, hot winds blowing. From May 28 night, a western disturbance will affect us which may cause dust storm or thunderstorms. Low level easterly winds may also bring some relief after May 28,” said Kuldeep Shrivastava, head, regional weather forecasting centre, Delhi.
There are two criteria for a heat wave—when the maximum temperature is at least 40° C and between 4.5° C and 6.4° C higher than the normal; or when maximum temperature is over 45° C for two stations in a sub-division for two consecutive days. A severe heat wave is declared when maximum temperature is at least 40° C and more than 6.4° C higher than the normal; or when the maximum temperature is more than 47° C.
On Friday, heat wave conditions were recorded in some parts of west Rajasthan and in pockets of Haryana, Delhi, east Rajasthan and Vidarbha. The highest maximum temperature of 46.6 degree C was reported at Churu in west Rajasthan.
Meanwhile extremely heavy rainfall (more than 20 cm) was reported in parts of Meghalaya for the past two days. Sohra or Cherrapunji recorded 33 cm rain on Friday.
Under the influence of converging strong south-westerly winds from the Bay of Bengal, Northeast India is likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls from May 25 to 27. There is an orange alert for heavy rain in Arunachal Pradesh from May 24 to 27 and red alert for Assam and Meghalaya on May 26 and 27. A red alert implies that authorities should take action to prevent any disaster due to extremely heavy rains.
“There is a very strong wind convergence in the northeast. Winds from Bay of Bengal are also bringing in a lot of moisture there. Meghalaya particularly has been receiving a lot of rain. On Saturday also Sohra or Cherrapunji received more than 20 cm rain,” said K Sathi Devi, head, national weather forecasting centre. situated in Amroha and popularly known as ‘Bicchu wali Dargah’.
At least two people among nearly 100 aboard the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) passenger plane from Lahore to Karachi survived as it crashed minutes before landing at the Jinnah International Airport on Friday, Sindh health minister Azra Fazal Pechuho said.
The PIA A320 passenger aircraft was carrying at least 90 passengers and eight crew members in the flight PK 8303, when it crashed into the densely populated vicinity of Jinnah Gardens in Model Colony located next to the runway.
(With agency input)