New Delhi: Heatwave conditions continued to tighten their grip over large parts of India on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a further rise in temperatures in the coming days.
The IMD has warned that northwest and central plains are likely to experience severe heatwave conditions this week. Temperatures in the affected areas may climb by another 2 to 3 degrees Celsius by May 24, adding to public discomfort.
In the national capital and the NCR, maximum temperatures are expected to hover between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius over the next one week. There is a possibility of the mercury touching 45 degrees Celsius within the next three days. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Delhi for the next two days.
Several other states are also bracing for intense heat. In Chhattisgarh, temperatures may rise by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius till May 21. Heatwave conditions are likely to persist till May 24 in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan.
Western and eastern Uttar Pradesh are expected to witness severe heat and heatwave from Tuesday till May 24. Isolated heatwave days have also been forecast in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, central Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
Hot winds are likely to affect Bihar and Telangana till May 21, while coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam may experience heatwave and hot winds between May 20 and 24.
Meanwhile, southern India may get some relief soon. The southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala around May 26, though it could arrive four days early or late. Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds is likely in some parts of Kerala and Mahe over the next five days.
In Odisha, Monday recorded scorching temperatures with 16 major cities crossing the 40-degree mark. Jharsuguda was the hottest at 43.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Boudh at 42.8 degrees, and Angul and Sambalpur at 42.3 degrees Celsius. Several other places including Hirakud, Baripada, Nayagarh and Talcher recorded temperatures above 41 degrees.
Even the usually cooler hill states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir are likely to see a rise in temperatures in the coming days. State governments have directed all districts to remain prepared.
Administrations and health departments across affected states have been placed on high alert. State emergency centres have asked districts to advise people against venturing out unnecessarily during afternoon hours. Hospitals and health centres have been directed to ensure adequate stocks of medicines to deal with heatstroke, dehydration and other heat-related illnesses.
