The India Meteorological Department has warned that while the heatwave is likely to continue on Monday, some areas could encounter ‘severe heatwave’, as the mercury could hit 47 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said, “Mainly clear sky. Heat wave conditions likely at many places with the severe heat wave at isolated pockets.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday “Heatwave conditions were observed in many places in isolated pockets over Delhi, south Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Saurashtra.”
The IMD declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature in an area hovers above 40 degrees Celsius and it is at least 4.5 degrees above the normal. If the temperature is 45 degrees Celsius or more, then the meteorological department declares a heatwave. A ‘severe heatwave’ is a condition when the maximum temperature in a locality hits 47 degrees Celsius. On Sunday the maximum temperature, both at Palam and at Ayanagar, was 46.2 degrees Celsius.
An official added, “The hot and dry northwesterly winds are bringing in heat from desert areas of West India and from across the international border. Because of this, the temperature is rising.”
Monsoon delayed, heatwave persists in north India as the temperature continues to hover over 40 degrees
However, this heat wave spell will be short lived as by June 12, rain and thundershower activities accompanied by dust storm are likely over parts of Delhi and NCR. These rains will occur in association with a Western Disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir and its induced cyclonic circulation over parts of northwestern plains.
After the onset of the Southwest monsoon was delayed by a week, the India Meteorological Department said it has further advanced in the south Arabian Sea, most parts of Lakshadweep and some parts of Kerala and south Tamil Nadu among other regions.
The IMD has forecast that even though there are chances of dust storm and thunderstorm on Tuesday and Wednesday and light rain on Thursday, it won’t help in bringing down the temperature drastically, as the amount of rain will be very little.
Normally monsoon hits Delhi around June 29. Usually, Delhi receives around 7.6mm rain between June 1 and June 9. But this time, there has been no rain during this period. This is further helping the heat to build up.
The official said, “The temperature will remain around 42-43 degrees Celsius over the next one week, at least.”
