IMD forecasted that heatwave conditions were likely to prevail over parts of east and peninsular India.
As April progresses, new weather patterns are set to unfold across various regions of India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest weather forecast predicted a renewed series of thunderstorms, marked by rainfall, gusty winds, and even hail, is expected to initiate across East, Central, and Peninsular India from today onwards.
Furthermore, Northeast India is anticipated to experience ongoing rainfall and thunderstorm activity over the subsequent seven days. On the other hand, parts of East India are likely to contend with heat wave conditions today, while the peninsular region will see a similar trend for the next two days before gradually easing.
A heatwave is defined as when the maximum temperature of a station reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher for Plains areas and at least 30 degrees Celsius or higher for Hilly regions. The IMD predicted that heatwave conditions were expected to persist over parts of East and Peninsular India for the next few days.
Temperature rises in Delhi
According to IMD, the national capital experienced typical seasonal weather on Saturday, with a maximum temperature of 35.1 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 20.2 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels stood at 46 percent and 28 percent, respectively.
The MeT Office predicted that the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to settle of around 36 and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively, on Sunday. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the “moderate” category with a reading of 166, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 9 am.
Odisha reels under intense heat
The scorching heatwave continued to grip Odisha as the mercury soared above 43 degrees Celsius, with 21 locations across the state recording temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, reported IMD. Angul, an industrial town in central Odisha, registered the highest temperature at 43.5 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Malkangiri at 43.2 degrees Celsius, and Titlagarh and Boudh at 43 degrees Celsius each.
In the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the maximum temperatures stood at 39.6 and 40.1 degrees Celsius, respectively. The IMD issued a yellow warning, indicating heatwave conditions likely to persist in select districts, including Angul, Nayagarh, Bolangir, and Malkangiri, until Sunday. Additionally, warm night conditions are anticipated in specific areas.
Despite the heatwave, the IMD’s Bhubaneswar center forecasted thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across Odisha over the next two days, with hailstorms expected in certain districts on April 7, including Angul, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal. “Odisha is likely to receive rain or thunderstorms and lightning associated with gusty wind during the next two days,” the IMD said in a bulletin.
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Heatwave grips Tamil Nadu
With a heatwave sweeping across Tamil Nadu, Karur and Dharmapuri districts have surpassed the 40-degree mark, according to the Chennai office of IMD. These districts recorded maximum temperatures of 41.0 degrees Celsius and 40.7 degrees Celsius, respectively.
IMD issues yellow alert for Kerala
The MeT Office issued a yellow alert for several districts of Kerala on Saturday, warning of scorching temperatures and challenging conditions expected from April 6 to April 10. According to the IMD forecast, the maximum temperature is anticipated to reach around 40°C in the Kollam and Palakkad districts. “In Thrissur and Kannur districts, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 38 C,” added IMD.
Additionally, the weather department indicated that temperatures may soar to 37°C in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode districts. “In Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts, the temperature is likely to be 36 C (2 to 4 C above normal),” said IMD. Hot and uncomfortable weather is very likely over these districts except in hilly areas from April 6 to April 10, 2024, due to high temperature and humidity.
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Light rains in several parts of Rajasthan
Various regions in Rajasthan witnessed light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms yesterday. The Meteorological Centre in Jaipur reported instances of such weather phenomena in parts of Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Jaipur, and Bharatpur divisions. Among these, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, and Bhopalgarh received the highest rainfall, recording up to 14 mm each. The state has experienced cloudy skies and intermittent light rainfall for the past two days, contributing to the prevailing weather conditions.
Thunderstorm forecast for West Bengal
Residents of southern West Bengal can anticipate relief from the scorching temperatures as the Meteorological Department predicts thunderstorms in the region. Currently, several districts in the area are experiencing heatwave conditions, with Panagarh recording the highest temperature in the state at 41.7 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Bankura at 41.5 degrees Celsius, according to the weather office.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected in southern West Bengal until Monday, and in northern West Bengal until Wednesday. This weather pattern is attributed to the cyclonic circulation over north Bangladesh and significant moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal.
