The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a dire forecast, predicting a severe heatwave in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana over the next five days. With scorching temperatures persisting across various regions, relief seems distant for many parts of the country.
In Delhi, the mercury is anticipated to climb to a scalding 44 degrees Celsius on Monday, following a record high of 44.4 degrees recently recorded. The IMD’s latest bulletin indicates that severe heatwave conditions will also engulf parts of Rajasthan from Tuesday to Friday and certain regions of Uttar Pradesh on Monday and Tuesday.
Additionally, heatwave conditions are expected in segments of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh throughout the week. Delhiites can brace for blistering temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Residents in Delhi experienced a warm morning on Monday, with the minimum temperature settling at 29.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season’s average, as per IMD reports.
On Sunday, the sweltering heat pushed temperatures to or beyond 47 degrees Celsius in at least eight locations across India. Najafgarh in Delhi topped the charts at 47.8 degrees Celsius, marking it as the hottest place in the country for the second time in three days.
In Rajasthan, Sriganganagar and Anta recorded the highest temperature of 46.7 degrees Celsius, while Nuh in Haryana sizzled at a blistering 47.2 degrees Celsius. Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, witnessed a high of 44.2 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has issued warnings regarding the heatwave, urging residents in affected areas to take precautions, including avoiding outdoor activities, wearing light-colored cotton clothing, and using hats and umbrellas for sun protection.
With concerns mounting over heat-related illnesses, especially among vulnerable groups, such as infants, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions, the weather office stresses the importance of staying hydrated and seeking shelter during peak heat hours.
Amid the blistering heatwave, the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry this week. Additionally, Lakshadweep is expected to experience heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday, while the Andaman and Nicobar Islands may witness light to moderate rainfall over the next seven days.