India sizzles: Heat wave warning issued for northwest, central, eastern parts as max temp hits 45°C | 10 points
The India Meterological Department has issued a heat wave warning for Northwest, Central and East India as the maximum temperature in many of these places hit 45 degrees Celsius.
With several parts of India facing a sweltering summer, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a heat wave warning for Northwest, Central and East India on Thursday.
The IMD noted that the maximum temperature was between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius in most of these parts, as of Wednesday.
Here's what you need to know about the heat wave in India:
1. As per the IMD, heat wave conditions will prevail over Northwest and Central India for the next five days and over East India, for the next three days. The heat wave will abate after that.
2. As of Wednesday, maximum temperatures were between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius over most parts of Rajasthan, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and east Uttar Pradesh as well as some parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and northern parts of Telangana.
3. Maximum temperatures were between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius over most parts of Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh and remaining parts of Telangana and Gujarat among others.
4. The maximum temperature will rise by about two degrees in most parts of Northwest India over the next two days and then remain at that level. In East India, maximum temperatures will remain at the current level and then fall by two to three degrees later.
5. From May 2 onwards, light or moderate rainfall is expected over Northwest India.
6. As per the IMD's notice, heat wave could lead to health concerns for vulnerable people, including infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases. Those who are exposed to the sun for prolonged periods are likely to experience symptoms of heat illness, the IMD said.
7. The IMD suggested that people avoid heat exposure and stay hydrated.
8. As a result of the heat wave, a sharp rise in power demand and subsequent shortage has been registered in states like Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
9. In Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, industrial activity had been disrupted by power cuts amid the intense heat wave.
10. India recorded its hottest March in 122 years this year. "The monthly average for March 2022 stands at 33.1 degrees Celsius, breaking the all-time record of 33.09 degrees Celsius of 2010," the India Meteorological Department said.