Urbane Delhi: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a cautionary advisory on Tuesday, highlighting the looming threat of intense heatwaves and extending crimson alerts for Odisha, Bihar, and Gangetic West Bengal until May 2.
Heatwave Dynamics Across States
The IMD’s morning communiqué foresees an escalation towards severe heat wave-like circumstances in regions such as Odisha and Bihar, spanning from April 30 to May 1, 2024. In addition, it anticipates a similar scenario in West Bengal from April 30th to May 2nd, with signs of amelioration thereafter.
The IMD projects a likelihood of heat wave to severe heat wave scenarios, predominating in isolated pockets across Rayalaseema during May 2-4, while isolated pockets of heat wave conditions are expected over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Saurashtra & Kutch, and Rayalaseema during April 30–May 2. Furthermore, it notes that heat wave conditions are probable in isolated pockets over Telangana, Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam over the next 5 days.
Additionally, it anticipates sultry and muggy conditions over West Assam, Tripura, the south Gujarat Region, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal on April 30 and May 1, as well as over Konkan & Goa, Kerala & Mahe, and Coastal Karnataka during April 30-May 4.
Precipitation Expectations in Specified Regions
According to the weather bureau, the northeastern states can anticipate rainfall coupled with gusty winds over the next five days.
“Extensive to pervasive light to moderate rainfall/snowfall along with sporadic thunderstorm & lightning & gusty winds (40-50 kmph) are highly probable over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura during the forthcoming 5 days,” it stated.
Between April 30 and May 2, Sikkim may experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph). Isolated occurrences of hailstorms may also be anticipated on May 1.
Moreover, the IMD mentioned that a Western Disturbance resembling a cyclonic circulation prevails over Pakistan & adjoining Afghanistan up to the middle tropospheric level, which may lead to scattered to widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall combined with thunderstorm, lightning over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on April 30. Similarly, it envisages isolated rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Punjab on April 30.
Meteorological Outlook for Delhi
The temperature in the capital city was projected to soar to 40 degrees on Monday; however, the frigid mountain winds thwarted this prediction.
According to Skymet’s prognostication, an expanse of Western Disturbance hovers over the mountains, while cyclonic winds prevail over North Punjab.
An east-west trough is expected to traverse near Delhi on April 30 and May 1, potentially inducing a decline in temperature. Occasional rain, thunder, lightning, and strong winds are plausible between May 4 and 7.
In terms of temperature, the maximum could reach 37 degrees, with a minimum of 22 degrees Celsius for the national capital on Tuesday.