Early heat wave in central India, but some relief in north
06 Apr 2016
Several parts of central India are experiencing heat wave conditions, with many cities and towns recording temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius, which is unusually high for the first week of April. On Monday, 17 cities and towns recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature across the region has been settling between 41 and 44 degrees Celsius. On Monday, Akola in Maharashtra and Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh were the hottest cities in India with the day maximum of 44 degrees.
Nizamabad recorded 43.4 degrees, Chandrapur 43.2, Chhindwara 43.2, Wardha 43, Medak 43, Khajuraho 42.6 and Gulbarga 42.2 Celsius. IMD has already predicted an above normal summer with a rise in temperature by one degree Celsius in several parts of the country.
During the summer of 2015, prolonged severe heat wave conditions had prevailed in Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana, which claimed more than 2500 lives.
Parts of Northwest India, on the other hand, have got some relief from the heat wave conditions. Day temperatures across Rajasthan, Delhi and West Madhya Pradesh have witnessed a drop in the last 24 hours. Though the dip in mercury is marginal, the level of relief felt is quite high.
According to Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, the temperature may further drop by one or two degrees in this region during next 24 to 48 hours.
"This will lead to abatement of heat wave from the region soon. Delhi, where temperature was 43 degrees Celsius on 3 April, recorded a drop of two degrees and settled at 41.7 degrees Celsius on 4 April. Indore experienced 38.4 degrees on 4 April in comparison to 40.8 degrees Celsius on 3 April," it said.
The drop in temperatures can be attributed to the change in "wind pattern from southeasterly winds to northerly or northwesterly winds," the agency added.
