Amidst the widespread scorching heat engulfing various regions of the nation during the 18th Lok Sabha elections, both administrative bodies and the electorate remain deeply troubled. The Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) latest bulletin forecasts a continuation of the prevailing heatwave in certain areas, juxtaposed with anticipated rainfall in others.
As per IMD projections, a fresh bout of scorching temperatures is expected to grip Western India, encompassing Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the western swathes of Madhya Pradesh over the forthcoming five days. Conversely, meteorological forecasts predict precipitation across the entire northeastern region, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi in the coming days.
The heatwave persists in several states: On May 7, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka are forecasted to experience heatwave conditions. Rajasthan may endure such conditions until May 10, with Madhya Pradesh following suit from May 8 to 10, and Gujarat possibly until May 11.
Isolated pockets in Saurashtra & Kutch and the Gujarat Region may witness heatwave conditions from May 7 to 10, while Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, and Interior Karnataka could experience them on May 7. Meanwhile, West Rajasthan may encounter scorching temperatures from May 7 to 10, and East Rajasthan along with West Madhya Pradesh from May 8 to 10.
The IMD reports, “Hot and humid weather is highly probable in isolated pockets over Kerala & Mahe and Coastal Karnataka within the next 48 hours.” A moderate increase in maximum temperatures is anticipated across most plains of Northwest India, except for East Uttar Pradesh, where a marginal decline is expected initially, followed by stabilization.
In the national capital, temperatures are set to soar to 42 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with no reprieve from the sweltering conditions for at least a week.
It’s noteworthy that Delhi recorded its highest temperature of the year on Sunday, reaching 41.1 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous high of 40.5 degrees Celsius observed on April 27.
Similarly, isolated regions in Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, South Interior Karnataka, and Kerala & Mahe may encounter heatwave conditions on May 7, while Interior Karnataka could experience them on May 7 and 8. East Rajasthan is slated for May 8 and 9, with West Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh expecting conditions from May 8 to 10.
Heatwave conditions persist in Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema since April 15, 17, and 24, respectively. Saraikela in Jharkhand registered the highest maximum temperature in the past 24 hours at 45.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) and Gulbarga (Karnataka) at 43.8 degrees Celsius.
Regarding rainfall, isolated heavy showers are predicted in the entire northeastern region, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya from Tuesday, likely to persist until May 10. Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Gangetic West Bengal are also expected to experience heavy rains today, with similar conditions forecasted for Odisha from May 7 to 9.
The IMD forecasts, “Isolated heavy rainfall is highly probable over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema on May 7 and 8, Telangana on May 7, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal on May 8 and 9, and Kerala & Mahe on May 8 and 11, along with South Interior Karnataka on May 8.”
A new Western disturbance expected to affect northwest India from May 9 may lead to scattered to fairly widespread rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand during May 9 to 12.