The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave warning for Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh as the mercury touched as high as 46°C on Sunday. The Meteorological Office has warned of extreme weather conditions after the maximum temperature in Rajasthan’s Barmer touched 46.8°C – the highest temperature recorded on May 10. Temperatures above 42 °C were recorded at many places across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat besides Rajasthan.
The IMD said, “Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in isolated pockets over West Rajasthan, Gujarat during May 11-14; East Rajasthan during May 11-13; West Madhya Pradesh during May 12-14.” Additionally, warm night conditions are likely over West Rajasthan by May 14 and over East Rajasthan by May 13. Besides, hot and humid weather is very likely in isolated pockets of Konkan and Goa on May 11.
Those who live in areas prone to heat waves should stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight, and pay extra attention to children and the elderly.
Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana on orange alert
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana, predicting heavy rainfall today.
Maximum temperature forecast
States across northwest India can expect a drop of 2-3°C in maximum temperatures on May 11 and 12. Maximum temperatures are expected to increase between May 13 and 16. A gradual rise in maximum temperature of 2-3°C is expected over East India between May 12 and 16. the central India region may brace for a 2-4°C rise in mercury by May 14.
Rain warning
The IMD has issued a rain warning for North East India and in its latest weather bulletin said: “Isolated heavy rainfall likely over Arunachal Pradesh on 14th; Meghalaya on 11th; Assam and Meghalaya during 13th-16th. Even sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim region can expect similar weather conditions between 14th and 16th May.”
“Isolated heavy rains also likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal and Kerala & Mahe during June 11-16,” the IMD said.
The Meteorological Department has forecast isolated light to moderate rainfall with thundershowers, lightning and gusty winds for Punjab, Haryana Delhi during and till May 14, West Uttar Pradesh on May 12 and 13, East Uttar Pradesh on May 13 and 14 and Rajasthan on May 11 and 12. An IMD press release said, “Isolated hail likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad on 11-12 Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on 12-13 May.
Uttarakhand authorities warn Char Dham pilgrims of adverse weather conditions
Amid an “orange alert” for severe weather conditions in Uttarakhand, authorities on Sunday urged pilgrims and tourists from Char Dham to exercise extreme caution during their journey on May 12 and 13. The warning predicts rain and inclement weather especially in high mountain hilly areas within 48 hours.
“Pilgrims should get the latest weather updates and plan their journey with full caution,” PTI quoted Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey as saying.
