New Delhi: Major portions of India are grappling with a rigorous onset of summer as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a combination of extreme heatwaves and localised storm activity in the coming week.
Meteorological updates indicate that heatwave conditions will likely endure throughout the northern, central, and eastern corridors. Impacted regions include Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. Portions of Kerala are also expected to experience high temperatures. The IMD warned that these thermal conditions are poised to escalate in intensity over the next several days.
Coastal and southern territories, specifically Konkan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat, are forecast to endure oppressive heat paired with high humidity. Furthermore, elevated nighttime temperatures are anticipated in isolated pockets of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Odisha through April 25, potentially limiting nocturnal cooling.
Conditions in the Capital
In New Delhi, experts project a temperature increase of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours, with stabilisation thereafter. Daytime highs are expected to persist above seasonal norms; Friday's peak is forecast at approximately 44 degrees Celsius, with a low of near 26 degrees Celsius. Authorities have issued a yellow alert for the capital, citing clear skies and impending heatwave conditions.
The IMD noted a broader trend of rising maximum temperatures across northwest and central India, signifying a widespread and sustained intensification of the summer season.
Precipitation and Storm Forecasts
Despite the overarching heat, several districts are slated for rainfall and electrical storms. Northwest India-including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the surrounding plains of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-may witness light to moderate precipitation or snowfall. These events are likely to be accompanied by lightning and wind gusts ranging from 30 to 50 kmph.
The northeastern states are bracing for fairly widespread rain and thunderstorms. In the east, scattered showers and gusty winds may affect West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Similarly, southern states such as Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are likely to see moderate rainfall and thunderstorm activity.
Maritime Advisory
The weather bureau has issued a specific warning for the fishing community, advising against venturing into the Bay of Bengal on April 26 and 27. The advisory, focused on the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, cites the probability of turbulent seas and impending storms.
With inputs from IANS