Heatwave likely to abate over Delhi and other states from May 2, says IMD
The prevailing heatwave conditions are likely to abate over Delhi and adjoining parts of northwest and central India from Monday (May 2), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Northwest and central India experienced their hottest April in 122 years with average maximum temperatures reaching 35.9 and 37.78 degrees Celsius respectively, the IMD said on Saturday.
On Sunday, IMD said, in the past 24 hours, heatwave to severe heat wave conditions prevailed over some parts of Delhi, in isolated pockets over Gurgaon, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh. And, also heatwave conditions prevailed in many parts of west Rajasthan, in some parts of Punjab and Vidarbha; in isolated pockets over Haryana, interior Odisha, Jharkhand, Kutch, Uttar Pradesh and north Madhya Pradesh.
According to IMD’s forecast, heatwave conditions will remain in isolated parts over Vidarbha from Sunday to Tuesday.
“Heat Wave conditions in isolated parts over Vidarbha during 01-03 May; over MP, Chhattisgarh, Telangana & West Rajasthan on 01 & 02 May; over HP, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, south UP, Kutch & East Rajasthan today. Abatement of heat wave over the region thereafter,” the IMD tweeted.
Heat Wave conditions in isolated parts over Vidarbha during 01-03 May; over MP, Chhattisgarh, Telangana & West Rajasthan on 01 & 02 May; over HP, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, south UP, Kutch & East Rajasthan today. Abatement of heat wave over the region thereafter.
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 1, 2022
The maximum temperatures recorded as of April 30, were 43-46 degrees Celsius over most parts of west Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana-Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha, in some parts of east Rajasthan, central Maharashtra, Gujarat, in isolated pockets of southeast Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
It was 42-44 degree Celsius in many parts of Marathwada, west Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rayalaseema, remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh and in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, northern parts of Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh, IMD said.
There will be a very likely fall in maximum temperatures by 3-4 degrees Celsius over many parts of northwest India during next two days and no significant change thereafter, and no significant change “very likely” in maximum temperatures over most parts of central India during next two days and fall by 2-3 degree Celsius thereafter.
In a press conference on Saturday, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said northwest and west-central parts of the country – Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana – will continue to experience above normal temperatures in May as well.
Nights would be warmer in May in most parts of the country, except in some regions of south peninsular India, Mohapatra said.
The average temperatures observed pan-India for April was 35.05 degrees Celsius, which was the fourth-highest in 122 years, he said.
“The average rainfall in May 2022 over the country is most likely to be above normal,” Mohapatra said.
In an advisory, the IMD said, “Heatwave could lead to a moderate health concern for vulnerable people e.g. infants, elderly, people with chronic diseases. Increased likelihood of heat illness symptoms in people who are either exposed to the sun for a prolonged period or doing heavy work.”
People were advised to avoid heat exposure and keep cool, drink sufficient water – even if not thirsty.
“Avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, cotton clothes and cover the head by use of cloth, hat or umbrella etc. Use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, buttermilk, etc. to keep yourself hydrated,” it said.
In the past few weeks, India has been reeling under heatwave conditions. In a major relief, some parts of the country received rainfall on Sunday.
“Due to trough/wind discontinuity over peninsular India in lower tropospheric levels, isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorm/lightning very likely over Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana during the next five days,” the IMD said.
