The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow heat wave alert in several states as it warned residents to take precautions due to rising temperatures. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are on IMD alert for April 19.
Met office has predicted heat wave in Uttar Pradesh till April 20; in Rajasthan and Odisha by April 22, in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra on April 19 and in Jharkhand on April 20 and 21. As the heatwave brings the possibility of heatstroke, the IMD said in its advisory: “Residents in the affected areas are advised to take precautions against heat exposure, stay hydrated and avoid prolonged outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours. Stay informed for the latest forecasts and advisories from the IMD.”
A day earlier, temperature monitoring stations in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon and Maharashtra’s Wardha recorded the highest maximum temperature as the mercury soared to 45 degrees Celsius.
Hot and humid weather conditions are likely to prevail over isolated areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Coastal Karnataka till April 22, Kerala till April 19 and Coastal Andhra Pradesh till April 20. “Warm night conditions are very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Chhattisgarh on 19th; Jharkhand during 19-21 April; Odisha during 19-22 April,” the weather office said in its latest press release.
Rain activity
The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall, lightning and thundershowers in Arunachal Pradesh from April 19 to 21; in Assam and Meghalaya on 19 and 21 April and in sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on 19 April. A weather bulletin for 18 April said: “A gradual increase in maximum temperatures of 2-3 °C likely over eastern India during 18-21 April and no significant change thereafter.”
Today’s weather in Delhi
Residents of the capital can expect mostly clear skies today, with partly cloudy skies as the day progresses. The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to be 1.6 to 3.0 degrees Celsius above normal, hovering around 39 to 41 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature will also remain above normal by 1.6°C to 3.0°C and is expected to settle around 22°C to 24°C.
“Prevailing surface wind is likely to be from northwesterly direction with wind speed reaching up to 10 kmph in morning hours. Wind speed from northwest will increase to less than 15 kmph during afternoon. Wind speed from northwest will decrease to 12 kmph during evening and night,” IMD said.
