As per the IMD, heatwave conditions are expected to worsen, with the potential for further increases in daytime temperatures.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red alert' for
heatwave conditions in Odisha and West Bengal, an 'orange alert' for Bihar and
Jharkhand, and a 'yellow alert' for eastern Uttar Pradesh and northern parts of
Kerala due to severe heatwave conditions across several states. The IMD
forecasts a worsening of heatwave conditions, with the possibility of further
increases in maximum daytime temperatures in Bengal and Odisha, attributed to
prevailing hot and humid weather conditions. Soma Sen Roy, a senior scientist
at IMD, informed ANI that severe heatwave conditions are also being experienced
in Odisha, particularly in North Odisha, prompting the issuance of a red alert
for this region as well.
Regarding high temperatures, Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman district
recorded the highest temperature in West Bengal at 44.6 degrees Celsius, while
Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 41.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
Similarly, in Odisha, Angul recorded a scorching 44.7 degrees Celsius, with
Bhubaneswar reaching 44.6 degrees Celsius, surpassing the 44-degree mark for
the first time this season. The IMD predicts a gradual increase in daytime
temperatures by one to two degrees Celsius over the next three days, followed
by no significant change for the subsequent two days.
In Delhi-NCR, residents experienced relief from the heat after Friday's
rainfall, which lowered the maximum temperature from 40.5°C to 38°C on
Saturday. IMD forecasts partly cloudy skies over the weekend, with temperatures
expected to exceed 40°C again by Monday. Delhi's air quality improved slightly
to a "moderate" classification with an air quality index (AQI) of
163, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
Regarding IMD's rain forecast, light rainfall accompanied by
thunderstorms is expected over Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu during Sunday
morning hours. Additionally, rainfall and lightning are forecasted over Madhya
Pradesh, the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, and north Telangana on Sunday
morning. Thunderstorms with hail are predicted over northeastern states,
including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, east Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Manipur.
Himachal Pradesh experienced intermittent rain, thunderstorms, and hail, with
fresh snowfall in tribal areas on Saturday, leading to road closures. The local
IMD office issued an orange warning for heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and
gusty winds at isolated places on Monday and a yellow alert for thunderstorms
with hail and gusty winds at isolated places on Sunday and Tuesday in the hill
state.