A sweltering heatwave swept the national capital, as the maximum temperatures remained 4.5℃ above normal for the second consecutive day here on Tuesday. The mercury settled over 45°C, with the extreme heat disrupting daily life.
The temperatures continued to rise across India as summer peaks. The meteorological station at Lodhi Road recorded a maximum temperature of 43.8℃ on Monday, nearly 4.8℃ above normal, which surged to 45.2℃ on Tuesday, which was over 6.2℃ above normal. The mercury was recorded at 45.1℃ at the main observatory in Safdarjung and Palam, while it touched 46.5℃ at Ridge.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued expansive orange and yellow alerts warning of high temperatures and heatwaves across Northwest India and Central
India till May 24. The alert was upgraded to “red” for Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, where the heatwaves are likely to become severe when the departure from normal exceeds 6.5°C.
Several states including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Bihar, and coastal Andhra Pradesh are already on alert as temperatures continue to rise. Warm night conditions also prevail in many regions, adding to the heat stress. Farmers have been advised to ensure irrigation to the standing crops to minimise losses.
The temperatures are now at least 3-5℃ above normal in several places, with heatwaves in Rohtak and Sirsa in Haryana and severe heatwaves in Bathinda in Punjab, where temperatures crossed 46℃. There is no respite in the next week, with forecasting indicating dry weather and clear skies for the next 4-5 days. Banda in Uttar Pradesh remained the hottest for the second consecutive day, with mercury peaking at 47.6℃.
The MeT declares a heatwave in the plains when the maximum temperature of a station climbs to 40°C and is 4.5°C to 6.5°C above normal in two stations in a meteorological subdivision for at least two consecutive days. The heatwave is declared on the second day. Experts warned people to take adequate precautions, as this extreme heat can exacerbate existing health ailments, and cautioned against prolonged outdoor exposure. “Drink water, stay hydrated, and cover your heads while stepping out,” the MeT said in its advisory.
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