Heatwave intensity decreases in eastern and southern India

NEW DELHI: The heat wave intensity in eastern and southern peninsular India slightly decreased on Saturday, with the weather office forecasting relief from the scorching conditions in these regions after two days. According to the India Meteorological Department ( IMD ), heatwave to severe heatwave conditions prevailed in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Telangana, with maximum temperatures settling 3-5 degrees Celsius above normal in these regions.

The mercury settled above 44 degrees Celsius in at least 10 places in these states.

IMD data shows that 13 places on Friday and 17 on Thursday recorded maximum temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius. Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh was the hottest place in the country for the third consecutive day on Saturday, sizzling at 46 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures were recorded at 45.9 degrees Celsius in Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), 45 degrees in Mahbubnagar (Telangana), 44 degrees in Odisha's Boudh, 43.5 degrees in Karur Paramathi (Tamil Nadu), 44.6 degrees in Nizamabad (Telangana), 45.4 in Andhra Pradesh's Cuddapah, and 43.5 degrees in West Bengal's Kalaikunda.

The IMD stated that the ongoing heatwave spell in east and south peninsular India will continue until May 5-6 and abate thereafter. Light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are predicted in Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand from May 5 to 9. Scattered light to moderate rainfall is expected in east Uttar Pradesh, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh during this period. Scattered light to moderate rainfall is also very likely in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and Karnataka from May 6 to May 9.

The Met office on Wednesday said above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in May, and a significantly high number of heatwave days are expected over the northern plains, central region, and adjoining areas of peninsular India. April witnessed record-smashing maximum temperatures in east, northeast, and south peninsular India, prompting health warnings from government agencies and some states to suspend in-person classes in schools. A number of stations also recorded their highest-ever April day temperatures.

"Five active western disturbances led to rainfall, thunderstorms and hail storms over north and central India at regular intervals in April, preventing heat waves."

The IMD data shows that heat waves this April were far worse than in 2023, the warmest year on record so far. This trend is likely to continue in May, with around eight to 11 heatwave days predicted over the south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the Gujarat regions.

The remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka, and Telangana may record five to seven heatwave days during the month. Normally, the northern plains, central India, and adjoining areas of peninsular India experience around three days of heat waves in May.