The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted 'above normal' monsoon rainfall for the June to September season, beneficial for the monsoon core zone for rain-fed agriculture. This forecast, with a 61% probability of 'above normal' rainfall, is a positive sign for the economy. However, immediate relief from the heat is unlikely for northwest India, which will endure extreme temperatures throughout June, punctuated only by brief respites due to western disturbances. The IMD expects at least four to six days of heatwave conditions next month.
The heatwave is affecting various regions across India. Official data reveals that temperatures soared to 45°C or higher in at least 24 locations, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan experienced extreme temperatures, with Barmer hitting 48.8 degrees, Jaisalmer reaching 48 degrees, and Bikaner recording 47.2 degrees.
Unprecedented temperatures have also been reported in typically cooler states such as Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. For instance, West Bengal's Cooch Behar reached 40.5 degrees, Assam's Silchar hit 40 degrees, Lumding recorded 43 degrees, and Arunachal Pradesh's Itanagar and Pasighat registered 40.5 and 39.6 degrees, respectively. Assam's Tezpur, Mazbat, Dhubri, North Lakhimpur, and Mohanbari also saw record-breaking temperatures for May.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, advising residents to take necessary precautions. The intense heat is expected to persist until May 29 across these regions and extend to Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Extreme conditions will continue to affect the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya.
A heatwave is defined by unusual temperature increases relative to the region's typical climate. For plains, a heatwave occurs if the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius, and for hilly regions, it is 30 degrees Celsius or more. The increasing frequency of heatwaves in India is largely attributed to climate change, which exacerbates the severity and duration of these extreme weather events.
Certain regions in India, particularly the northwestern and central parts, are more susceptible to heatwaves due to their continental climate characterized by hot, dry summers and sparse rainfall. The current heat wave underscores the urgent need for strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable populations from extreme weather.
