India is facing an intense heatwave, with various regions reporting unusually high temperatures. On Saturday, Nagpur in Maharashtra recorded the highest maximum temperature in the country, reaching a sweltering 44.7 degrees Celsius, according to reports. The city experienced its hottest day of the season, surpassing Friday’s high of 43 degrees Celsius. While this temperature was 4.1 degrees above the normal for this time of year, it did not meet the criteria for a heatwave, as defined by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Meanwhile, other parts of the country, including Delhi and Rajasthan, continue to experience above-normal temperatures. The IMD forecasted similar heatwave conditions in several areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha in the coming days. In contrast, Delhi’s weather is expected to remain partly cloudy on Sunday, with maximum temperatures hovering around 38 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25 degrees Celsius. The city logged a minimum temperature of 25.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which was 4.2 degrees above normal. The capital is also set to experience light rainfall, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph, as a cloud cluster passes through.
In Jammu and Kashmir, an advisory for severe weather has been issued, with the IMD predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms due to an active western disturbance. The adverse weather conditions are expected to continue until April 20, bringing hailstorms and gusty winds to several districts.
In Uttarakhand, the IMD has warned of heavy rainfall or snowfall at isolated places, with thunderstorms and squally winds also expected in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Odisha between April 19 and April 21. The IMD’s April 19 bulletin further indicated that isolated hailstorms could occur in Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Odisha during the same period.
With the heatwave gripping much of the country, concerns about its impact on daily life and public health are mounting, particularly in regions like Rajasthan and Maharashtra, which have long been known for their hot summer temperatures.
Impact on Air Quality in Delhi
As for Delhi, the air quality on Saturday afternoon was categorized as “moderate,” with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading 165. While the pollution levels were not alarming, the ongoing heat could worsen air quality conditions in the coming days.
Looking Ahead
The weather conditions across India are likely to remain volatile, with more heatwaves predicted in the coming days, particularly in the northern and western regions. Authorities are urging the public to take necessary precautions to stay safe, especially in areas where the temperatures are reaching dangerously high levels.
The IMD will continue to monitor the evolving weather patterns and issue further advisories as necessary. In the meantime, people across the country are bracing for another week of extreme heat, with the peak summer months just around the corner.
Sources By Agencies