Fresh western disturbances keep extreme heat at bay
An unusually high number of western disturbances this summer has subdued the searing heat normally felt in April and May, the IMD said, adding that the conditions are likely to persist till May 18. “We are not expecting heatwave conditions to set in till May 18. On May 10, 11 and 12, rain & thunderstorms are likely over northwest India under the influence of an intense western disturbance,” RK Jenamani, sais scientist, weather forecasting centre.
An unusually high number of western disturbances (WD) in March, April and now in May has subdued the searing heat normally felt in April and May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said, adding that similar conditions are likely to persist till around May 18.
“There was no heatwave in May till now. We are not expecting heatwave conditions to set in till May 18. On May 10, 11 and 12, rain and thunderstorms are likely over northwest India under the influence of an intense western disturbance. It has rained almost continuously in many parts of the country in April. There were cloudy skies and strong winds over north India also, which didn’t allow the maximum temperatures to rise. In central and peninsular India, there is wind discontinuity which is bringing intermittent thunderstorm activity and cool winds,” RK Jenamani, senior scientist, national weather forecasting centre, said.
There were seven western disturbances which moved across western Himalayan region in March against the normal of four WDs. Of these, three were very active, bringing rainfall, snowfall and thunderstorm to the region. April saw nine WDs move across western Himalayan region, of which four were active and moved as cyclonic circulations, bringing rain and thunderstorms to the hills and plains. There were two WDs in May and another expected on Tuesday.
In March, severe heatwave was recorded over west Rajasthan and heatwave conditions over east Rajasthan, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In April, the heatwave was occasional, while no heat wave was recorded in May.
Jenamani added that with the likely arrival of monsoon over Kerala on June 1, further heatwave conditions are unlikely over Peninsular India.