As much of India looks for respite from the rising temperatures, the latest forecast has clarified that there still remains some time before the scorching temperatures will ease.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more of the same in the coming days. In other words, dangerous heat will maintain its grip on central and northern India.
The only change is the prediction of heavy rain and gusty winds in the northeast.
WHAT HAPPENED ON APRIL 22?
Wednesday was a day of extremes across the country.
Much of northern and central India sweltered under intense heat, with the town of Banda in Uttar Pradesh recording a record higest temperature of 44.2C, the highest in the country.
Heat wave conditions were officially declared in isolated pockets of Bihar, East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal, putting vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and those working outdoors at particular risk.
In contrast, the northeastern states and parts of the south saw rainfall, thunder, and hailstorms.
Residents of Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi woke up to uncomfortably warm nights, officially classified as warm night conditions by the IMD.
Meanwhile, states like Assam, Meghalaya, and parts of Karnataka received moderate to heavy rain, with some stations in West Bengal and Sikkim logging up to 4 cm of rainfall in a single day.
STORM, HAIL AND HEAT AHEAD
Thursday is expected to bring little relief for most of the country.
In western and central India, isolated thunderstorms accompanied by hailstorms are likely in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and some parts of Karnataka.
Residents in Konkan & Goa, Marathwada, and Kerala can expect gusty winds going up to 40-50 kmph alongside thunder and lightning, enough to knock down tree branches and damage crops.
Meanwhile, the northeast will remain active with Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh expected to continue to see widespread thunderstorms. Rain is expected across much of the region.
Meanwhile, heatwaves are very likely to persist in isolated pockets across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal. Hot and humid conditions will also make life uncomfortable in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh can expect another warm, dry day with no significant rainfall forecast for tomorrow.
Looking further ahead, India’s weather agency is tracking several weather systems simultaneously.
A fresh Western Disturbance, a weather system originating over the Mediterranean that brings rain and snow to northern India, is currently active, and is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms to Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh by April 25–26.
Delhi and Punjab may finally see some relief from the heat by April 26–28, when scattered rainfall is forecast.
Temperatures across northwest and central India are expected to climb by another 3–5C before finally dipping towards the end of the month.
