The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a ‘severe’ heatwave alert for large parts of northwest and central India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The warning comes as temperatures continue to soar, with several regions already witnessing extreme conditions this week.
As per the latest bulletin, severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on May 21, and may continue until May 26. Vidarbha and both eastern and western Uttar Pradesh are likely to remain under similar stress till at least May 23.
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Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana and Odisha are also expected to experience intense heat until May 24, while Bihar may face similar conditions till May 23. Uttarakhand is also likely to record high temperatures on Thursday.
/ANI The IMD defines a heatwave when the maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and remains 4.5 to 6.4 degrees above normal levels.
Delhi braces for another scorching day
In Delhi, an orange alert has been issued for May 21, with temperatures expected to range between 28 degrees Celsius and 46 degrees Celsius. This could mark the sixth heatwave episode in the national capital this year, following similar conditions recorded in April and earlier this month.
“Heatwave conditions are expected to continue for the next one week,” Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather told PTI.
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Explaining the cause, he said, “Travelling across vast arid stretches, these winds turn intensely dry by the time they reach Delhi, trapping heat close to the surface and sharply intensifying the searing conditions across the city.”
/ANI He added, “The ground does not get sufficient time to release the accumulated heat, leading to persistently warm nights.”
There is currently no indication of thunderstorms or pre-monsoon rainfall over the next 10 days, which is worsening the situation.
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Rainfall likely in southern and coastal regions
While northern India struggles with heat, the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through the week. The southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala around May 26.
/ANI Southern states including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Karnataka may witness moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph till May 24. Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely in Tamil Nadu on May 21 and 22, and in Kerala, Mahe and Karnataka on May 21.
Light to moderate rainfall is also expected over Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand over the next few days, offering some respite from the prevailing heat.
