Wednesday was the hottest day of the season in Pune with Lohegaon's automatic weather station (AWS) recording 43 degrees celsius, the highest of the season. Shivajingar’s AWS recorded 41.2 degrees which was also a new high for the area. Incursion of hot winds from the northern parts of the country which are now experiencing heat waves as well have brought in this extreme heat. S D Sanap, scientist from India Meteorological Department (IMD), said that the present heat is well expected given April and May are the peak summer months. To compound the fact, northern winds are now undergoing heat waves. Rajasthan, Gujarat are areas where heat waves are active. Heat waves are conditions when the maximum temperatures rise above 40 degrees and are about 4.6 to 6.4 degrees above the average temperature. Thus, the winds from those areas would typically be hot and are increasing the temperature in Pune. Lohegaon’s AWS is located within the air force station and has always recorded higher than normal temperatures. Shivajinagar’s AWS has also been reporting above 40 degree temperature in the last few days. Unusually high night time temperatures have also contributed to the uncomfortable feeling in the city now. Pune’s black cotton soil and red soil are also a reason for the present heat wave like situation in Pune. Anupam Kashyapi, former head, weather forecasting, IMD said another reason for the heat was the lack of any rainfall in and around Pune. “The soil being without moisture, has contributed to the heating,” he said. The only silver lining, Kashyapi said, is that the present heat can cause moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, or the local water bodies. This can cause some rainfall with thunder and lighting especially in the evening. Given the present condition, IMD has advised people to avoid going out between 11 am to 4 pm, and to ensure proper hydration is maintained.
