Heat wave alert for central Maharashtra

Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the state is expected to record a two-degree rise in day temperatures over the weekend

The weather department has issued a heat wave warning for Marathwada, central Maharashtra and Vidarbha for the next two days.

Heat waves or severe heat waves occur when excessively hot weather, beyond a threshold temperature, extends over a prolonged period. (Pratham Gokhale/HT)

Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the state is expected to record a two-degree rise in day temperatures over the weekend, as the moisture incursions bringing occasional rain, usually seen in April, are absent this time.

“While the current conditions are not unusual, a four-five degree rise above normal levels has been recorded in day temperatures at Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada,” said Dr PCS Rao, additional director general of meteorology, IMD Pune.

Heat waves or severe heat waves occur when excessively hot weather, beyond a threshold temperature, extends over a prolonged period. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, when the daily maximum temperature of more than five consecutive days exceeds the average maximum temperature by five degrees, it is called a heat wave condition.

According to Rao, every year anti-cyclonic circulations (high-pressure belts) develop over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in April and May. “Moisture incursions from these belts lead to accumulation of clouds that bring rain. Currently, no moisture is being deposited over the central and southern parts of the state,” said Rao. “The heat wave conditions are not widespread but likely at isolated pockets,” said BP Yadav, director general meteorology, IMD.

Night temperatures were closer to normal levels at south Mumbai at 25 degrees Celsius, while 22.2 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees below normal, in the suburbs. Moisture levels were low on Friday as Colaba and Santacruz recorded 73% and 49% humidity respectively.