Several pockets of India's Northwestern states have been hit by heatwaves in recent weeks. And it doesn't appear that the regions will be able to escape the sweltering heat anytime soon, as severe heatwaves are expected to return this week.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heatwave conditions in Rajasthan and West Uttar Pradesh, with isolated pockets of both states experiencing severe heatwave conditions for the next five days -until Saturday, April 9.
Furthermore, heatwave conditions in some areas, as well as severe heatwave conditions in isolated pockets, are expected in Punjab, south Haryana, and Delhi over the next 24 hours. Heatwave conditions will prevail in isolated pockets over these areas for the next three days, beginning Wednesday.
When maximum temperatures exceed 40°C and rise by at least 4.5°C above normal, the IMD declares a heatwave over the plains. A severe heatwave is declared when the temperature deviates from normal by more than 6.4°C.
In light of the aforementioned forecasts, the IMD has issued an orange warning for West Rajasthan until Saturday, urging people to "be prepared" for the hot weather.
From Tuesday to Saturday, yellow alerts have been issued in East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Delhi to make residents "aware" of the inclement weather.
According to weather experts, the primary cause of these high temperatures is active northerly winds and an apparent lack of factors such as upper air cyclonic circulation and western disturbances.
State-wise Heatwave Alerts
Some parts of East Rajasthan have experienced heatwave conditions in the last 24 hours, while the majority of West Rajasthan has experienced severe heatwave conditions. On Monday, April 4, Rajasthan's Barmer district recorded the state's highest maximum temperature of 43.5°C.
On Monday, April 4, the maximum temperature in Haryana's Jagdishpur was 42.9°C, while Barnala and Mohali recorded 40°C. Yesterday's temperature in Safdarjung, Delhi, was 38.1°C, but the temperature in the National Capital is expected to rise above 40°C by Thursday, April 7.
Maximum temperatures in Prayagraj, Bareilly, Moradabad, Meerut, and Agra divisions were significantly higher than normal on Monday. Agra had the highest maximum temperature in the state, 42.8°C.
From Tuesday to Saturday, April 5-9, an orange alert has been issued for Aligarh, Hathras, Mathura, Agra, Jalaun, Jhansi, and Hamirpur. For the duration, a yellow watch has been issued in Gautam Budh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Badaun, Firozabad, Kannauj, Hardoi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Lalitpur, Allahabad, Sultanpur, and Varanasi, among other places.
Take Proper Precautions, Stay Safe and Hydrated & Avoid Heat Exposure!!
