Relief from scorching heat likely over three days: IMD

Light to moderate isolated rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning likely in J&K, Himachal

NEW DELHI: The country is expected to get some relief from sweltering temperatures as maximum temperatures across northwest and east India are expected to drop by 2-4°C over the next three days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’S latest projection on Sunday.

Since April 28, the majority of the country has been experiencing severe heat conditions. On Sunday, Bikaner recorded a temperature of 47.1°C, the highest in the country.

The IMD forecast issued on Sunday states that maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 3-4°C over most parts of northwest India in the next two days. No significant change is expected in maximum temperatures over most parts of Central India during the next 2 days followed by a fall of 2-3°C thereafter.

Maximum temperatures are also likely to fall by 2-3°C over most parts of east India, Gujarat and Maharashtra during the next 3 days.

Under the influence of a western disturbance as a trough in mid and upper tropospheric westerlies, light to moderate isolated rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning is very likely over Jammu-kashmir-ladakh-gilgit-baltistan-muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the next 2 days, the forecast states, adding that scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 40-50 kmph) during May 3 to 5.

An isolated hailstorm is also likely over Jammu and Kashmir on May 3 and over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on May 3 and 4. Isolated light rainfall with dust storm, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 40-50 kmph) is very likely over Punjab, Haryana-chandigarh-delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during the next 4 days.

Strong dust raising surface winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph) are very likely to prevail over most parts of northwest India during the next 2 days, IMD said.

Over east India, under the influence of south-westerly winds from the Bay of Bengal over east and northeast India in the lower tropospheric level, fairly widespread rainfall is likely over northeast India and sub Himalayan West Bengal-sikkim during next 5 days with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 40-50 kmph) over the region during next 3 days.

Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh and Sub-himalayan West Bengalsikkim on May 2; over Assammeghalaya during May 2 to 4 and over Nagaland-manipur-mizoram-tripura on May 3 and 4. Scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 40-50 kmph) are likely over Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha during next 5 days.

“Heat wave spell will gradually abate except in isolated pockets. Thunderstorm activity has begun in east India. We can expect dust storms and some thunderstorm activity in northwest India with relief from intense heat wave conditions till around May 7. There was an intense heatwave spell from March 11 to 19; March 27 to April 12; April 17 to 19 and April 26 to 30,” explained RK Jenamani, senior scientist, national weather forecasting centre.

“Clouds have started forming over parts of Rajasthan, south Haryana, Rewari etc. There is an induced cyclonic circulation over west Rajasthan and there is also a trough (line of low pressure) stretching from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar etc to West Bengal. Easterly winds from Bay of Bengal are blowing over northwestern states bringing in moisture and triggering conditions for pre-monsoon showers. Heat wave conditions are likely to abate and we can expect relief for next 4-5 days,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate change and meteorology, Skymet Weather.

Ramp up infra for treating illnesses from heat: Centre

The Centre on Sunday wrote to all states asking them to train medical staff on ground to recognise signs of heat-related illnesses, and keep infrastructure ready to manage cases, as many parts of the country are in the grip of a severe heat wave.

In a letter written to states and Union territories, Union health secretary, Rajesh Bhushan asked them to review their health facilities preparedness for availability of adequate quantities of essential medicines and the necessary equipment.

“… Health Dept. of the State must continue efforts on sensitisation and capacity building of medical officers, health staff, grass-root level workers on heat illness, its early recognition and management,” said Bhushan in his letter.