March was exceptionally hot, and April will end on a similar note. The country has already seen four heatwaves early in the summer of 2022, and no immediate respite is expected either. This year, Northwest India recorded the hottest March in 122 years, with an average maximum temperature surpassing the previous record of 30.67 degrees Celsius in 2004. The weather department has announced a heatwave warning for at least five states in India, witnessing the hottest summer ever. A large part of the country is reporting temperatures around 45 degrees Celsius. The meteorological department issued a yellow alert in Delhi notifying that the heatwave could lead to “moderate” health concerns for vulnerable people.
The Indian Metrological Department(IMD) has predicted heatwave conditions in a large part of the country for the next five days. A heatwave warning has been announced for Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, UP, and Odisha as parts of these states record temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. The severe conditions are likely to persist till the first week of May after which chances of rain increase, IMD scientist RK Jenamani stated. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are experiencing a continuous rise in mercury crossing 45degrees. Delhi witnessed yet another warm morning today as the weather office predicted a heatwave in the region during the day with the maximum temperature likely to touch 43 degrees Celsius. The weather office has predicted the temperature in the national capital to touch 44 degrees Celsius by Friday.
The state – already facing the fourth spell of a heatwave in two months – has reported a shortage of 20,000 lakh metric tonnes and key thermal power plants in the state are likely to run out of coal in less than 2 days, state’s power minister added. In the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the winter capital Jammu recorded its hottest day of the season with the mercury touching 40 degrees Celsius. The soaring temperature has led to power cuts and water crises in different parts of the Union Territory.
In Odisha maximum temperature was breached to 40 degrees Celsius. All schools in the state have been shut amidst the heatwave till the 30th of April. Rajasthan is reporting four hours of power cuts for factories making it the third state after Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh to disrupt industrial activity to manage surging power demand amid an intense heatwave.
West Bengal has announced an early summer vacation for all educational institutes due to severe heat. All schools and colleges have been ordered to shut down by May 2nd. Northwest India this year has recorded the hottest March in 122 years.
