New Delhi: As the intense heatwave conditions scorch the northern states, some relief from the soaring temperatures is likely on Tuesday with a forecast of thunderstorms and gusty winds in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
On Monday, many regions experienced no respite from the sweltering heat, leaving residents to cope with the extreme conditions.
Banda in Uttar Pradesh was recorded as the hottest place in the country, reaching a maximum temperature of 47.6 degrees Celsius, 5.4 degrees above normal. Akola in Maharashtra recorded a scorching 46.9 degrees Celsius, while Nagpur and other parts of Vidarbha faced severe heatwave conditions. Additionally, parts of Rajasthan saw heatwave conditions, with Jaisalmer recording a maximum temperature of 46.4 degrees Celsius.
Haryana and Punjab also endured hot weather, with Rohtak hitting a maximum temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Bathinda was the hottest location, reaching 43 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department.
In Delhi, the weather department issued a yellow alert for heatwave-like conditions for Monday, with temperatures soaring to a maximum of 42.3 degrees Celsius. The city was hit by a spell of dust storm in the evening.
Meanwhile, the Centre has asked states and Union Territories to operationalise dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units at all health facilities and ensure adequate preparedness of ambulance services in view of the expected above-normal heatwave days during the summer season.
In a letter to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasised the need for the timely dissemination of early warnings and real-time reporting of heatstroke cases on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.
To protect students from heat-related ailments amidst the soaring temperatures and intense afternoon sun, schools in Delhi have begun implementing precautionary measures. These include suspending outdoor activities, moving assemblies indoors, and some even considering early closure for younger classes. Measures such as indoor games, hydration breaks, provision of ORS (oral rehydration solution), and adjusted dispersal timings are being enforced as the city braces for prolonged heatwave conditions.
During a review meeting, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta instructed the Department of Education to ensure the availability of ORS across schools in Delhi and asked the Labour Department to make sure outdoor labourers do not work between 1 pm and 4 pm.
Amid heatwave-like conditions in Delhi, its peak power demand crossed 7,000 MW for the first time in April on Monday afternoon, officials said. According to real-time data provided by the Delhi State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), the peak power demand in the city was 7,078 MW at 3.30 pm.
As temperatures climb across the national capital, fire incidents have surged sharply, with the Delhi Fire Services responding to over 3,200 calls till April 26 this month, even as daily calls have risen by around 140 per cent compared to the pre-April period.
Tuesday signals a change in weather conditions for most northern states, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The national capital is set to witness a sharp shift in weather, with a yellow alert issued for rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds from Monday to Thursday. This comes as the city faces an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a maximum of 42.3 degrees Celsius.
“There is a cyclonic circulation over adjoining central Pakistan, northwest Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. It is currently strong and moving towards north-east India. Parts of Rajasthan and Haryana may receive rainfall tonight, and the system is expected to reach Delhi on Tuesday and persist till April 30,” Mahesh Palawat of Skymet said.
Thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds are likely at isolated places over Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana as well.
Isolated hailstorm activity is likely over Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday and over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Wednesday.
However, heatwave conditions are still expected, even though temperatures are projected to remain above normal.
With the upcoming change in weather, the IMD has advised people to avoid taking shelter under trees, staying clear of concrete walls, floors, water bodies, and electrical conductors. It is also recommended to unplug electronic devices and remain alert for worsening weather conditions.
