A severe heatwave is expected to hit Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana from May 18 to 20, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The heatwave will also affect other parts of northern India and Bihar over the next five days as summer intensifies across most of the country.
Temperatures in northwest India and Gujarat are predicted to increase by two to three degrees in the coming days. This rise in temperature is due to the diminishing impact of western disturbances, explained IMD director general M Mohapatra. He noted, “There is no immediate chance of rain. The surface is heating up because of an anticyclone over northwest India. Soon, hot air will move towards UP and Bihar as well. Conditions will stay very hot for the next seven days.”
The movement of hot air, known as advection, is contributing to the increasing temperatures. Private weather forecasters agree with the IMD’s prediction. Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of climate and meteorology at Skymet Weather, said, “An anticyclone over West Rajasthan and Pakistan is bringing in hot air from Balochistan and the Thar desert. Heatwaves have already started in parts of Rajasthan, and some areas in Delhi also met the heatwave criteria on Wednesday. The areas affected by heatwaves will expand.”
The Met department declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature exceeds 40°C in the plains, 37°C in coastal areas, and 30°C in hilly regions, with the temperature being 4.5°C to 6.4°C above the average maximum.
Overall, the coming days will see very high temperatures across northern India, with no relief from rain in sight.
Discussion about this post