1. Northwest India faces a severe heatwave, with temperatures reaching 46.9°C.
2. Extreme heat is expected to continue for five days.
3. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh hardest hit.
Weather Update, May 19: Northwest India is currently experiencing severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures soaring as high as 46.9 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that this extreme heat will persist for the next five days, particularly affecting Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
In its latest bulletin, the IMD stated, “Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to continue over the plains of Northwest India during the next five days, and heat wave conditions are likely over East and Central India during the next three days.”
A red alert has been issued for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and West Rajasthan due to the severity of the heatwave, while an orange alert has been put in place for East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
According to the IMD, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist in many areas of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi until May 22.
Parts of West Uttar Pradesh are also expected to experience these conditions on May 19.
Additionally, heatwave conditions are anticipated in some areas of East Uttar Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, pockets of Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha until May 22.
Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, and Jharkhand will likely face similar conditions until May 20. The regions of Konkan and Goa, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal will experience hot and humid weather until May 19-20.
The authorities have issued warnings urging the public to remain vigilant and take precautions, particularly for vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with chronic health conditions. The intense heatwave poses significant health risks, necessitating extreme care.
Rajasthan’s Barmer has recorded the highest temperature so far at 46.9 degrees Celsius. Several other locations in the state, including Phalodi, Pilani, Jalore, Jaisalmer, Karauli, Ganganagar, and Sikar, have also reported temperatures above 46 degrees.
On Friday, Najafgarh in Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius, while Sirsa in Haryana reported 47.1 degrees Celsius.
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Heavy Rain Predicted in South India
While the northwest grapples with scorching heat, the IMD has forecasted heavy rains for many parts of South India. Coastal Karnataka is expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall from May 19-22, with South Interior Karnataka likely to see heavy rains on May 21-22.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are predicted to experience heavy rainfall on May 18, and Lakshadweep will see similar conditions until May 21.
The IMD also predicts isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe until May 22, and in South Interior Karnataka until May 20.
Extremely heavy rainfall is anticipated over Tamil Nadu and Kerala during May 19-21.
A red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kottayam districts in Kerala for Sunday.
An orange alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts.
This juxtaposition of extreme heat in the northwest and heavy rains in the south highlights the diverse climatic challenges faced by different regions of India during this season.
