Extreme heatwave warning in northwest India for next 5 days, red alert in Delhi
The India Meteorological Department expects extreme heat wave conditions to persist across the north for the next few days. A red alert has been issued for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and part of Rajasthan.
In Short
- Northwest India faces extreme heat, temperatures touch 46.9°C
- Heat wave to continue for next five days
- Red and orange alerts issued for several states
Several parts of northwest India sweltered under scorching temperatures on Saturday, with the maximum temperature reaching 46.9 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat conditions are expected to continue for the next five days, with Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh likely to be hit the hardest.
“Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely to continue over plains of Northwest India during next five days and Heat wave conditions likely over East and Central India during next three days,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest forecast.
The Met department issued a red alert for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and West Rajasthan. An orange alert has been issued for East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
- Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are very likely in many pockets over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi until May 22, and in some parts of West Uttar Pradesh on May 19.
- Heat wave conditions are very likely in some parts of East Uttar Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, pockets over Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha until May 22. Similar conditions will prevail in Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, and Jharkhand until May 20.
- Hot and humid weather is very likely to prevail over Konkan and Goa, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal until May 19-20.
The officials warned the public to remain cautious and urged to ensure "extreme care for vulnerable people", including infants, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases.
On Saturday, Rajasthan’s Barmer recorded the highest temperature at 46.9 degrees Celsius. The mercury stood above 46 degrees at several other locations in the state, including Phalodi, Pilani, Jalore, Jaisalmer, Karauli, Ganganagar, and Sikar.
On Friday, the maximum temperatures surged to 47.4 degrees Celsius in Najafgarh and 47.1 in Haryana's Sirsa.
HEAVY RAIN PREDICTED IN SOUTH INDIA
Meanwhile, the IMD predicted heavy rains in many parts of South India.
Isolated heavy rainfall is very likely over Coastal Karnataka during May 19-22, in South Interior Karnataka during May 21-22, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on May 18, and Lakshadweep until May 21, the department said.
Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, and Kerala and Mahe until May 22, and South Interior Karnataka until May 20.
Extremely heavy rainfall is predicted over Tamil Nadu and Kerala during May 19-21.
The IMD issued a 'red' alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kottayam districts of Kerala for Sunday. An orange alert has been issued for the Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts.