Delhi on 6-day heat wave alert amid 44C peak mercury; IMD issues red alert for 4 states — full forecast here | Today’s news
Today’s Weather: Delhi is on heatwave alert for 6 days amid 44.4C peak mercury. The Ridge area of the state capital recorded a maximum temperature of 44°C at Frida, followed by Mangeshpur at 44.1°C. As most of India battles heat conditions, daytime maximum temperatures were in the range of 45 to 47 °C over central India, adjoining Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, eastern and northern peninsular India. Maharashtra’s Brahmpuri reported the highest maximum temperature of 47.2 °C on 23 April.
Amid the scorching conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, several other states are on orange alert, including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Odisha.
Warning of prevailing extreme weather conditions, the IMD in its latest weather bulletin said, “Heat wave to severe heat wave is likely to continue to prevail over plains of northwest India, central and eastern India and parts of peninsular India during the next 6-7 days. It further predicted possibility of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, North East and adjoining East India on many days of the week.
A brief timeline for heat wave conditions in specific areas
The IMD has predicted heatwave conditions in the following regions:
- In isolated pockets over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam till 26th May with severe heat waves likely in isolated pockets till 24th May.
- In isolated pockets over Bihar till May 24
- In Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Telangana till May 26
- In Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand between May 26 and 28.
Besides, there will be hot and humid weather conditions over Gangetic West Bengal till May 26 and Tamil Nadu till May 23. Additionally, residents of Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha can expect warm night conditions till May 24. Similar weather conditions are likely in Odisha on May 26 and Telangana on May 23.
The Met Department has also issued an advisory urging residents of the affected areas to stay safe and follow the procedures below
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Use sun protection
- Wear light cotton clothing
- Pay extra attention to children and the elderly
Today’s weather in Delhi
The IMD has forecast “mainly clear” for the day with heat conditions likely at a few places. While the maximum temperature is expected to be 3.1°C to 5.0°C above normal in the range of 43°C to 45°C, the minimum temperature may hover around 27°C and 29°C, nearly 1.6°C to 3.0°C above normal. “Chance of thunderstorm development towards morning/afternoon/evening,” the IMD said.
When to expect monsoon showers and respite from the heat?
As most of the states are grappling with heat conditions, the advance of Southwest Monsoon brings hope of respite in the coming days. Conditions are favorable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some other parts of southeast Arabian Sea, Comorin region, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of Andaman Sea and some other parts of east central Bay of Bengal during the next 2-3 days, the weather office said.
