Heatwave to abate in parts of India — still very hot

Heatwave to abate in parts of India — still very hot

This year summer came to India a month ahead. Over the last week in some parts of the country India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded temperatures over 45 °C (113 °F). Though heatwaves are common in India, usually they begin in May and July, and this time April had the highest average temperatures in 122 years.

IMD reports that local atmospheric factors are to blame. Two of the major reasons are lack of storms from the Mediterranean region, as well as anticyclones, which create areas of high atmospheric pressure.

For the next week IMD not expecting heatwaves in most parts of India as fresh western disturbance providing relief from the heat.

Senior IMD scientist R.K. Jenamani said:

Barring some parts of west Rajasthan and the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, no place in the country is likely to see a heatwave in the next five days.

Meteorologists expect maximum temperatures to drop by 3-4 degrees Celsius over many parts of northwest India during the next two days. Rainfall very likely in some parts.

Isolated light rainfall with dust storm/thunderstorm/lightning/gusty winds (speed reaching 40-50 km/h) very likely over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during next 4 days.

Scattered/fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorm/lightning/gusty winds (speed reaching 40-50 km/h) during May 3-5. Isolated hailstorm also likely over Jammu and Kashmir on May 3, over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on May 3-4.

Scientists warning that current heatwave could be the beginning of the hottest summer as effects of climate change becoming more pronounced. More than a billion people are at risk in the region.

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