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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that several regions across the country will continue to experience heatwave conditions until April 26. This year, an unusually high number of heatwave days, ranging from ten to twenty, are anticipated compared to the typical four to eight days throughout the April-June period in India.
IMD has issued a heatwave alert in various regions until April 26. Over the next three days, temperatures are expected to soar significantly in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Karnataka. Notably, Bhubaneshwar in Odisha and Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh recorded temperatures as high as 43.8 degrees Celsius, marking them as the hottest areas in the country.
States like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are currently experiencing extremely high temperatures, ranging between 40-43 degrees Celsius. Heatwave conditions are declared when the maximum temperature reaches or exceeds 40 degrees Celsius with a deviation of 4.5 degrees Celsius or more from the normal, as per IMD criteria. These heatwaves are expected to persist in certain parts of the country for the next few days.
Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 37.6 degrees Celsius, which is typical for this time of the year, according to IMD reports. Relative humidity ranged from 27 percent to 54 percent, while the minimum temperature remained at 23 degrees Celsius, also within the normal range for this season.
IMD predicts that April might witness between four to eight heatwave days across different parts of the country, in contrast to the usual one to three days. However, certain regions may experience more than 20 days of intense heat. This prolonged heatwave could strain power grids and lead to water shortages in some areas of India.
Global weather agencies, including IMD, anticipate the development of La Nina conditions later in the year. La Nina, the opposite of El Nino, typically brings abundant rainfall during the monsoon season, unlike El Nino, which is associated with weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India.
