After UP and MP, heatwaves to extend to Delhi, Haryana and Punjab soon, IMD warns

So far, April has seen at least 15 days when the maximum temperatures recorded in Vidarbha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and some pockets of Madhya Pradesh, ranged between 42 and 45 degree Celsius. IMD’s temperature data for the current month noted that hot conditions have also remained persistent over Gujarat and Rajasthan, with the maximum temperatures here remaining slightly shy of 45 degree Celsius for 10-12 days this month so far.

After figuring among the country’s hottest regions for three consecutive days since Saturday, Vidarbha has seen no respite. On Monday, Chandrapur (45.6 degree Celsius) was the country’s hottest city for the second consecutive day. Monday was also the first occasion after April 2022 (when the highest April temperature was 46.2 degree Celsius) when Chandrapur’s day temperatures crossed 45 degree Celsius , though the all-time record for April remains 47.6 degrees in 2013.

On April 19, Nagpur, in this region, recorded 44.7 degree Celsius. Vidarbha, in particular, has been reeling under severe heat with the mercury hovering close to or staying over 42 degree Celsius over Akola, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, and Wardha for at least 11 days since April 3.

Earlier this month, the IMD had warned that the country would experience ‘above normal’ heatwave days with spells lasting six to seven days.

As the season progresses, regions coming under the grip of heatwave conditions will extend northwards, with day temperatures over the Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi likely to soar, weather officials said.

On Wednesday, the Met department warned of heatwave conditions over East Madhya Pradesh till April 28, over West Uttar Pradesh till April 27, over East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha till April 26, and over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh till April 26. Brief heatwave spells will prevail over Gangetic West Bengal (April 23 – 26) and Jharkhand on April 25 and 26.

Since Monday, some pockets in Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have shown an uptick in the day temperature. In Central and Northwest India, day temperatures have risen by at least 3 degree Celsius. On Tuesday, the maximum temperatures (in degree celsius) in some of the locations in these states were as follows: Dhenkanal (44.7), Sambhalpur (44.6), Raipur, Daltonganj and Khajuraho (44.4 each), Ratlam (44), Bilaspur (43.3), Nagpur (44.2), Rajkot, and Surendragarh and Jamshedpur (43 each).

“There will be a gradual rise in the maximum temperatures by 2 to 3 degree Celsius over central and northwest India through the next one week. Temperatures in eastern India will rise by 2-3 degree Celsius,” IMD officials said Wednesday.

Though night temperatures over the above regions will continue to remain normal, Bihar, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and East Uttar Pradesh will experience warm and humid nights till April 25.

Likewise, overall hot and humid weather shall engulf the southeastern regions spanning Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Yanam, and along some adjoining areas of central Maharashtra, Marathwada extending up to Konkan and Goa this week, weather officials said.

With the heat reaching its peak across southern peninsular India, some respite is on the cards. Pre-monsoon showers are expected in Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh till April 26, they added.