Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh reel under ‘severe’ heatwave – IMD issues heavy rain warning for Bengaluru | Today’s news

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued another heatwave warning as high temperatures continue to plague northwest and central India.

IMD scientist Naresh Kumar told ANI that heat conditions are likely to continue for at least another week in large parts of northwest, central and east India.

“We expect heat waves to persist for the next 6-7 days in parts of northwest, central and most of eastern India,” he said. “We have issued an ‘orange alert’ for Punjab, Haryana, NCR-Delhi region, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.”

The IMD has also issued a ‘red alert’ for East Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh and certain parts of Vidarbha for the next three days.

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‘Orange’ alert for Delhi-NCR

The Meteorological Agency has issued an ‘orange’ warning for severe heat waves in Delhi till May 27. Kumar told ANI that temperatures in Delhi-NCR are hovering above 45°C and similar conditions are expected to continue during the week.

According to the IMD bulletin, Delhi will experience mostly clear skies accompanied by sweltering heat conditions. Temperatures in Delhi are expected to hover between a scorching 44°C and 46°C and remain well above normal.

The IMD also predicted “warm night” conditions at isolated places across Delhi, with minimum temperatures remaining well above the seasonal average.

Heat wave warnings across states

The intense heat is not limited to Delhi. The IMD emphasizes that:

• Uttar Pradesh and Punjab: Severe heat waves are expected in East Uttar Pradesh along with persistent heat conditions in West Uttar Pradesh and Punjab during the week.
• Rajasthan: West Rajasthan will initially experience heat conditions which will turn into severe heat from May 25 to 27, while East Rajasthan remains under constant heat wave.
• Central and Eastern India: Pockets of eastern Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and coastal Andhra Pradesh will struggle under severe heat waves till May 25. Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha are also on the heatwave warning list for the next few days.

The highest maximum temperature in the country was recently recorded at a whopping 48.2°C in Banda, Uttar Pradesh.

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Today’s weather in Andhra Pradesh

According to the Visakhapatnam Meteorological Department, the heat wave over Andhra Pradesh is expected to intensify in the next four days.

People have been advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel between 11 am and 4 pm when temperatures are expected to remain at their maximum, an Economic Times (ET) report said, quoting Jagannath Kumar, an official from the regional Met department.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has issued a severe heatwave warning, dividing regional temperature expectations into three main categories:

• 45°C to 47°C (Severe Heat Zone): Extreme temperatures are expected to affect coastal and central areas, specifically parts of Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Markapuram and Prakasam.
• 44°C to 45°C (High Intensity Zone): Slightly lower but dangerous thresholds will be felt across regions including Kakinada, Vizianagaram, Nandyal and YSR Kadapa.
• 40°C to 43°C (Moderate to High Heat Zone): Normal to increased summer temperatures will continue to prevail over north coastal areas and parts of Rayalaseema including Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Parvathipuram, Manyam, Alluri Seetharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kurnool, Nellore, Chitantaya, Anna, Sri Tirupati.

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Rain warning in India

Contrasting weather is emerging over eastern and northeastern India, where isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to cause localized flooding and disruption.

Under the influence of multiple cyclonic circulations and lower trough levels, major meteorological action is expected in the east and northeast:

• Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya: These states are on alert for isolated very heavy rains.
• Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim: Heavy downpours are expected, especially on May 23, when very heavy rainfall is expected at several places.
• Southern Peninsular India: Scattered to fairly widespread rainfall associated with thunderstorms and gusty winds will affect Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Interior Karnataka.

‘Yellow’ alert for heavy rain in Bengaluru

Bengaluru is expected to experience scattered thunderstorms today, with temperatures hovering around 31°C maximum and 22°C minimum.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru till Sunday, May 24 due to unstable pre-monsoon conditions and warned residents to brace for intense showers, lightning and gusty winds.

“Heavy rain/thunderstorm with gusty winds (50 to 60 kmph) is likely at one or two places over Bengaluru (Rural), Bengaluru (City),” the regional Met department said in its bulletin. The forecast also applies to Kolar, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapura and Ramanagara districts.