IMD alert: Heatwave to persist in western India

Eight cities of Rajasthan recorded at least 40 degrees Celsius temperature on Tuesday for first time this summer, IMD said. Barmer was the hottest with a maximum temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius.

Severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue in western parts of India over the next few days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted on Tuesday, when the maximum temperatures crossed 41 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan’s Barmer and Ahmedabad, and 39.6 degrees Celsius in Mumbai.

Eight cities of Rajasthan recorded at least 40 degrees Celsius temperature on Tuesday for first time this summer, the IMD said. (HT file photo)

According to the IMD, the severe heatwave like conditions are likely to aggravate in the next few days before the mercury dips next week. “The heatwave conditions are because of anti-cyclonic activity above the western India in absence of enough moisture-laden winds from Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean and dry winds blowing from the middle-east (West Asia),” the IMD said in its bulletin, adding this is the season’s first heat wave.

Heat wave is a weather condition when daily temperature rises to a minimum 40 degrees Celsius and there is a departure of 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius from normal temperature.

Eight cities of Rajasthan recorded at least 40 degrees Celsius temperature on Tuesday for first time this summer, IMD said. Barmer was the hottest with a maximum temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius.

The Met department warned of heatwave in the next two to three days in different parts of Rajasthan, especially in border districts — Barmer and Jaisalmer. It also predicted severe heatwave conditions in eastern Rajasthan (Dungarpur, Sirohi and Tonk districts), and western Rajasthan (Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jalore and Pali districts) from Wednesday.

IMD Jaipur director Radhey Shyam Sharma said the temperature generally touches 40 degrees Celsius mark around the last week of March. “The reason behind such high temperatures is the anti-cyclonic circulation developed above south-west Rajasthan and adjoining areas; such condition will persist for next two-three days. The state will further witness a rise in temperature by 1-2 degree Celsius,” Sharma said.

He added though the temperature is high, the extreme temperature record of March has not been broken.

According to the IMD, the severe heatwave like conditions are likely to aggravate in the next few days before the mercury dips next week.

In Gujarat, the IMD said severe heatwave conditions prevailed in Kutch and at isolated pockets in the north Gujarat districts of Ahmedabad and Deesa and in Saurashtra-Kutch districts such as Rajkot, Porbandar and Kutch. “In Ahmedabad, the maximum temperature is likely to touch 41 degrees Celsius on March 16 (Wednesday) and minimum temperature is likely to remain 22 degrees Celsius,” it said.

“High temperature in the region could lead to increased likelihood of heat-related illness symptoms in people who are either exposed to sun for a prolonged period or doing heavy work,” the IMD said.

In Maharashtra, the IMD has issued a ‘yellow alert’ (heat wave conditions in isolated parts) for Wednesday. It has predicted that the maximum temperature in Mumbai will be around 40 degrees Celsius over the next two days.

In view of the IMD’s warning, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to residents to stay safe and hydrated and avoid going out in the afternoon.

“Drink sufficient water and as often as possible, even if not thirsty,” the BMC said and asked people to avoid strenuous activities when the outside temperature is high. It also asked people to avoid tea, coffee, soft drinks, high-protein and stale food, and suggested that people use a hat or an umbrella and also use a damp cloth on head, neck, face and limbs if they work outdoors.

“If a person faints or falls ill, he/she should see a doctor immediately,” it stated.