North India faces fresh spell of heat wave, while IMD predicts heavy rain in South India

After a short-lived respite from the heat wave conditions, the northwest Indian plains and central Indian states are again witnessing a fresh spell of heat wave and it may continue for a couple of days, as there may be a rise in maximum temperature by 2-3 degree Celsius over the northwest India and Madhya Pradesh during the next 2-3 days. However, these areas may witness a fall of 2-4 degree Celsius thereafter, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

Considering the fresh heat wave conditions, weather warnings have also been issued for these areas, suggesting heat wave could lead to moderate health concern for vulnerable people, for example- infants, elderly, people with chronic diseases over heat wave affected areas. Hence, people of these regions should avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-colored, loose, cotton clothes and cover the head by use of cloth, hat or umbrella etc.

Jhansi in west Uttar Pradesh, recorded the highest temperature of 44.4°C on 18th May. Temperatures recorded on Wedenessday, rose between 1-3°C or more at most places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim and Northeastern States, at a few places over West Rajasthan and Bihar and at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat region and Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. Temperatures have fallen between 2-4°C at most places over Uttarakhand, at a few places over Delhi and at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha and Odisha.

Maximum Temperatures (as on 17/05/2022) were between 43- 45°C in most parts of Vidarbha, in some parts of Haryana & Chandigarh and East Uttar Pradesh and in isolated pockets of East Madhya Pradesh and 40-43°C in most parts of Rajasthan, Delhi and East Madhya Pradesh, in many parts of West Madhya Pradesh, in some parts of Punjab, East Uttar Pradesh and Chattisgarh and in isolated pockets of Odisha and Gujarat State.

Maximum temperatures were appreciably above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C) at a few places over Jammu & Kashmir and at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Maharashtra, above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C) at most places over Jharkhand, at many places over Vidarbha, West Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, at a few places over Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, East Madhya Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.

Rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3°C over northwest India & Madhya Pradesh are expected during next 3 days and fall by 2-4°C thereafter. No significant change in maximum temperatures very likely over rest parts of the country.

Minimum temperatures are markedly above normal (5.1°C to more) at a few places over Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, appreciably above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C) at most places over Punjab, at a few places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim and at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha; above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C) at most places over Jharkhand, at many places over Himachal Pradesh, West Rajasthan and Bihar, at a few places over East Rajasthan, Marathwada, Gangetic west Bengal, Odisha and Telangana and at isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra and West Uttar Pradesh.

Moderate risk over some watersheds & neighborhoods of southern districts of Assam & Meghalaya has been expressed due to the expected rainfall in next 24 hours. Moderate risk over some watersheds & neighborhoods of South Interior Karnataka, North Kerala adjoining coastal Karnataka met sub divisions has been expressed due to the expected rainfall in next 24 hours.

Warnings have also been issued for the fishermen because of the probable rain conditions in these areas. They have been advised to stay away from fishing activities as West Bengal Coast, Northwest Bay of Bengal, Northeast Bay of Bengal, North Andaman Sea, South Andaman Sea, South Odisha coast and North Odisha coast, North Andhra coast and South Andhra coast, North Tamil Nadu coast, South Tamil Nadu coast, Bay of Bengal, Kerala Coast, Karnataka Coast, Lakshadweep area, Southwest Arabian Sea and southeast Arabian Sea and a few others may witness heavy rain.