IMD Predicts Severe Heatwave for Northern and Northwestern India
Desk Report, May 16, 2024: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave warning for multiple northern and northwestern states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, from May 16 to May 18. According to the IMD forecast, temperatures in Delhi and neighboring states are expected to gradually rise, reaching a peak by Saturday, May 18. The national capital is likely to experience temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius over the weekend.
The rising mercury levels are attributed to dry westerly and northwesterly winds combined with clear skies, leading to intense direct sunlight. “Mercury has been rising in Delhi over the past few days and this is likely to continue till the weekend as no western disturbance or rain is expected. The maximum could touch 44°C by Friday and reach 45°C on Saturday. Some stations may meet the criteria for a heatwave,” stated an IMD official.
The IMD’s latest forecast indicates that heatwave conditions will impact western Rajasthan from May 15 to May 18, while western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and southern Haryana will experience a heatwave from today through Saturday. Northwestern Madhya Pradesh and Bihar are also under a heatwave warning from Friday to Saturday. Hot and humid weather is expected to persist in parts of Rajasthan for the next five days.
Heatwave conditions are anticipated to intensify over the northern plains, including Punjab, Haryana, and the Delhi NCR region, from May 17 to May 19, marking the national capital’s first heatwave of the season. Delhi has yet to record a heatwave day as temperatures have not exceeded 4.5°C above normal thresholds.
In a related forecast, the IMD predicted that the southwest monsoon will arrive in Kerala by May 31, with moderate to heavy rains expected in parts of the state. “Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. This year, the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on May 31,” the IMD stated in a release. Furthermore, the southwest monsoon is expected to advance into the South Andaman Sea, parts of the Southeast Bay of Bengal, and the Nicobar Islands around May 19.
The upcoming heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the intense summer conditions typical of northern India, prompting advisories for residents to take necessary precautions to mitigate heat-related health risks.
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