Low pressure area to develop over BoB; heat waves sear central India

There is a possibility of the low-pressure area over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensifying and becoming a cyclone in the coming days, senior IMD officials said.

NEW DELHI: A low-pressure area is likely to form over the equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Several parts of India are recording heat waves and severe heat wave conditions. (Representational Image)

Senior IMD officials said there is a possibility that the low-pressure area intensifies further and becomes a cyclone in the coming days. “We are keeping a close watch. The conditions seem favourable for intensification but it’s still too early to say,” said Ananda Das, in charge of cyclones at IMD.

Under the influence of the low-pressure area, scattered to widespread rainfall is very likely over Andaman & Nicobar Islands during March 15 to 19 with isolated thunderstorm/ lightning on March 18 and 19. Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely over the region on March 19. Strong Winds (speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph) are likely to prevail over south Andaman Sea on March 19.

“The Bay of Bengal appears to be all set to host this year’s first tropical cyclone later this week, which will impact Andaman & Nicobar Islands between ~19 & 20 March 2022. Expect damage due to strong winds, heavy rains and rough sea conditions in the region. #CycloneAsani,” tweeted Akshay Deoras, a meteorologist with the University of Reading, UK.

Meanwhile, several parts of the country are recording heat waves and severe heat wave conditions. Maximum temperatures were around 39-41 degree C over many parts of Gujarat and West Rajasthan on Monday and Tuesday; 38- 40 degree C over some parts of southeast Rajasthan, Vidarbha and Konkan and Goa according to IMD.

Severe heat wave conditions were recorded over pockets of Saurashtra-Kutch; Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions were recorded in some pockets over Konkan-Goa and West Rajasthan and heat wave conditions in isolated pockets over Gujarat region.

Maximum temperatures were above normal by 3-6 degree C at most places over Punjab and Uttarakhand; at many places over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad; at a few places over Himachal Pradesh, West Rajasthan and Saurashtra and Kutch; at isolated places over East Rajasthan and Gujarat according to IMD.

There is likely to be a further rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3 degree C over many parts of Northwest India and West Madhya Pradesh during the next 2 days. A gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3 degree C is also very likely over most parts of east and northeast India.

“Central parts of India have recorded heat waves in March also in the past. In our long-range forecast for March also, we have said that these areas, particularly Gujarat, southwest Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, are likely to record very high temperatures. The immediate reason for such high temperatures in these places is the southeasterly wind blowing towards central India from very warm regions like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Heat wave conditions have prevailed for the past 3 days and we expect heat waves to continue for 3 more days at least,” explained M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.

“The first significant heat wave of the Northern Hemisphere has developed across Southern Asia, and looking at its associated heat dome, it’s a whopper. India will remain very hot this week,” tweeted Guy Walton, former meteorologist and author.

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 34.7 degree C, 5 degrees above normal and minimum of 18.9 degree C, 3 degrees above normal on Tuesday.