IMD predicts that the heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will persist over the next five days in the region.
In a post on X, IMD stated, “Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions most likely to continue over plains of Northwest India and Heatwave conditions over north Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat State during next 5 days.”
The IMD also issued a red alert in Delhi on Sunday, indicating that temperatures can range between 28 to 44 degrees Celsius.
The IMD also warned of impending heatwave to severe heatwave conditions over many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Rajasthan, as well as heatwave conditions in some places in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch on May 23.
Senior IMD scientist Naresh Kumar stated that the current situation is expected to prevail for the next week, with temperatures to possible 45 degrees Celsius in the absence of rainfall activity in North India. He said, “Generally, May is considered the hottest month. If there is no rainfall activity in North India, then the temperature normally crosses 45 degrees Celsius. It is forecast that this situation will prevail for the next week. This scenario will continue for the next 5 days in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. We have issued a red alert. A heatwave situation will exist in UP for the next 3-4 days. Heatwaves will also prevail in North MP. We have issued an orange alert for the region.”
The IMD also issued a heat wave warning for several districts in Himachal Pradesh for the next 4-5 days, with the possibility of a severe heat wave in the districts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra, and adjoining areas. The average maximum temperatures in the state are likely to increase by 2 to 3 degrees and remain appreciably above normal during this period.
Meanwhile, South India could witness heavy rains according to the IMD. “Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely over south Peninsular India till 23rd May with possibility of extremely heavy falls over Kerala during 20th-22nd May, 2024,” posted IMD on X.
(With agency inputs)
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