Heatwave grips parts of India; IMD issues orange alert for West Bengal

The maximum temperatures will be in the range of 40 to 42 degree Celsius over many parts of the plains of Northwest India and adjoining Madhya Pradesh and East India. IMD said the maximum temperatures are above normal by 3 to 5 degree Celsius over many parts of Northwest, East, and Northeast India.

“In East India, especially the Gangetic West Bengal area has been seeing a heatwave for the past four days. We have issued an orange alert for West Bengal,” said Kumar.

While Delhi is far from undergoing a heatwave, the temperature will still be approximately 4 degrees higher than normal.

Isolated pockets of Punjab and Haryana will mostly likely face heatwave for the next two days.

Gradual rise in temperature is being witnessed in most districts of the Bihar, said IMD Scientist Anand Shankar. “Temperature to go to 42-44°C around 19th-20th April, there might be a build-up of a heatwave.”

According to the IMD weather bulletin issued Monday, Mumbai and several parts of Maharashtra are reeling under heatwave conditions. The Thane observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

Kumar said, “The western disturbances, which have currently affected the western Himalayan region, will soon take a toll on the plains.” This will likely drop the temperature by 2 to 3 degrees and provide temporary relief from the heatwave.