Hotter days ahead: Heatwave to intensify over next 5 days
NEW DELHI: The weather department on Thursday warned of a heatwave for parts of north and central India with conditions likely to improve after five days. Similar warnings were issued for east India for the next three days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also predicted rain and thunderstorms, with lightning and gusty winds, over northeastern parts of the country.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the heatwave will become more intense over the next five days, with temperatures likely to touch 45 degrees Celsius (°C) in some parts of the country.
Behind the heatwave is a so-called anti-cyclone, which is expected to last till early next week. “The heatwave is mainly because of a strong anti-cyclone over the north Arabian Sea which is bringing hot, westerly winds. There is likely to be relief from May 2 because we are expecting a strong western disturbance (a cyclonic movement). Maximum temperatures will drop to 37-38°C over parts of northweat India,” said R K Jenamani , senior scientist, national weather forecasting centre, IMD.
But until then, many parts of the country will continue to swelter under hot and dry conditions.
Things will only get worse between Friday and Monday. Delhi, for instance, may see the mercury cross 44 on Friday.
IMD has issued an orange alert for Rajasthan on April 28 and 29 and a yellow alert for almost the entire country except parts of peninsular and east India. An orange alert is a warning to administrators to be prepared for imminent heat waves; a yellow alert is to warn them to be watchful. For April 30, May 1 and 2, IMD has issued an orange alert for Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh and a yellow alert for the rest of the country except the peninsular region.
According to IMD, maximum temperatures will increase by 2°C across most parts of northwest India on April 29 and 30, and fall only after May 2. The weather office added that maximum temperatures over east India will stay at current levels for the next few days and fall by about 2-3°C thereafter.
NEW DELHI: The weather department on Thursday warned of a heatwave for parts of north and central India with conditions likely to improve after five days. Similar warnings were issued for east India for the next three days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also predicted rain and thunderstorms, with lightning and gusty winds, over northeastern parts of the country.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the heatwave will become more intense over the next five days, with temperatures likely to touch 45 degrees Celsius (°C) in some parts of the country.
Behind the heatwave is a so-called anti-cyclone, which is expected to last till early next week. “The heatwave is mainly because of a strong anti-cyclone over the north Arabian Sea which is bringing hot, westerly winds. There is likely to be relief from May 2 because we are expecting a strong western disturbance (a cyclonic movement). Maximum temperatures will drop to 37-38°C over parts of northweat India,” said R K Jenamani , senior scientist, national weather forecasting centre, IMD.
But until then, many parts of the country will continue to swelter under hot and dry conditions.
Things will only get worse between Friday and Monday. Delhi, for instance, may see the mercury cross 44 on Friday.
IMD has issued an orange alert for Rajasthan on April 28 and 29 and a yellow alert for almost the entire country except parts of peninsular and east India. An orange alert is a warning to administrators to be prepared for imminent heat waves; a yellow alert is to warn them to be watchful. For April 30, May 1 and 2, IMD has issued an orange alert for Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh and a yellow alert for the rest of the country except the peninsular region.
According to IMD, maximum temperatures will increase by 2°C across most parts of northwest India on April 29 and 30, and fall only after May 2. The weather office added that maximum temperatures over east India will stay at current levels for the next few days and fall by about 2-3°C thereafter.
During an anti-cyclone, air pressure is high on the surface, causing the air above it to come down. This air warms up as it comes down on account of high pressure. The outward hot winds caused by this are ranging as far as Odisha and West Bengal.
But early next week, the western disturbance (a cyclonic movement originating in the Mediterranean) will put an end to the anti-cyclone, cause moisiture laden winds to come in from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. These easterly winds will reduce temperatures to 37-38 degree C over parts of northwest India, Jenamani explained.
Maximum temperatures are currently 43-45°C over many parts of northwest India.
“The heatwave will impact a very large area of the country compared to the heatwave in March. This spell will also be very intense. Maximum temperatures are already in the mid 40s in many parts and may rise further. We can expect an intense spell over Punjab, Haryana, parts of UP, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi etc. There may be some dust storm activity over Rajasthan because many parts of Rajasthan are facing a very prolonged dry spell. The heat wave over east India especially Odisha and West Bengal may subside from April 30,” said Jenamani.
IMD has warned that the heat wave could lead to moderate health concerns for vulnerable people including infants, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases. There is also an increased likelihood of heat illness symptoms in people who are either exposed to sun for a prolonged period or doing heavy work, it added. IMD has also recommended that people should avoid heat exposure– keep cool; avoid dehydration by drinking sufficient water even if not thirsty; avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, cotton clothes and cover the head; and drink oral rehydration salts, and home-made drinks.
Extreme heat stress over large parts of India has triggered a discussion on heatwave spells.
Several research papers in the past have flagged India’s vulnerability to heat extremes.