The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of ‘heatwave to severe heatwave’ conditions persisting in eastern India and southern peninsular India over the next five days. States such as West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand are expected to experience these intense heat conditions.
Moreover, coastal areas in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Bihar may encounter heightened discomfort due to high humidity levels.
The criteria for a heatwave include maximum temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius or higher in plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hilly regions, with a significant departure from normal temperatures. A departure exceeding 6.4 notches qualifies as a severe heatwave.
El Niño conditions, although weakening, continue to contribute to the extreme heat, particularly during the April-June period, coinciding with the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The IMD has specifically alerted Maharashtra’s Thane and Raigad districts, as well as parts of Mumbai, from April 27 to 29, attributing the temperature surge to an anti-cyclonic circulation.
In Tripura, authorities have issued public advisories to mitigate the impact of the prolonged hot and humid weather, emphasizing precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses. Odisha has already reported one heatstroke-related fatality, with numerous hospitalizations due to heat-related ailments across the state.
Additionally, parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi and adjacent areas, are experiencing scorching temperatures nearing 43 degrees Celsius, as per IMD reports. Delhi witnessed a sudden change in weather with rainfall, leading to flight diversions and minor injuries from a collapsed house wall.
IMD senior scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar has warned of temperatures soaring up to 44 degrees Celsius in Eastern India in the coming days, urging precautionary measures to mitigate heat-related risks.
