IMD issues heatwave warning in West Bengal, Bihar, AP; scorching heat in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana

IMD official Naresh Kumar said there is a very low possibility of a heat wave in Delhi but the temperature may be greater than normal by 4-5 degree Celsius.

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted an increase in temperatures in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and North West India in the coming days, even as it issued a notice warning of heat wave conditions likely over Bihar and Coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next 4-5 days, over Punjab and Haryana for the next 2 days, and abate thereafter. The department also declared an Orange alert in West Bengal.

Speaking to the media, IMD official Naresh Kumar said, “There will be a further increase in temperature in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and North West India in the coming days. Due to Western disturbances, the temperature will drop in the coming days in some other areas of the country. An orange alert has been issued regarding a heatwave in West Bengal.”

Further speaking on the matter, Kumar said there is a very low possibility of a heat wave in Delhi but the temperature may be greater than normal by 4-5 degree Celsius. The press release issued by the IMD further stated that the maximum temperatures that the states are likely to experience will be in the range of 40-42°C over some parts of plains of Northwest India and adjoining Madhya Pradesh and East India. The rest of the country will meanwhile see temperatures around 35-40°C, except over Western Himalayan Region which will experience milder temperatures.

Heat Wave conditions will prevail in isolated pockets over Punjab and Haryana on April 16 and 17 and abate thereafter, the release clarified. Whereas for some pockets over Gangetic West Bengal and Bihar, the heat waves will prevail for the next 5 days and in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim for the next 3 days.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will see a maximum rise in temperature by about 2°C during the next 5 days. Meanwhile, heat wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam during the next 3 days, the press release stated. Isolated pockets over West Madhya Pradesh are also likely to experience heat waves on April 17 and 18, it stated.

Central India will see a maximum rise of 2-3°C during the next 3 days, which will fall by about 2°C during the subsequent 2 days, whereas Maharashtra will see a rise in temperatures by 2-4°C during the next 5 days according to the IMD press release.