IMD predicted isolated heatwaves in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Vidarbha and Gujarat on Sunday; via Jharkhand by April 4 and via Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for the following five days
New Delhi: Severe heat waves were observed in many parts of the country. Data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that scorching conditions were prevailing across much of western Rajasthan and remote parts of Himachal Pradesh.
High temperatures were also recorded over Delhi, while scorching conditions were seen in remote parts of eastern Rajasthan and Jharkhand. Barmer in Rajasthan recorded the highest maximum temperature of 43.6 degrees Celsius, IMD said.
IMD forecast isolated heat waves to sweep across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Vidarbha and Gujarat on Sunday; via Jharkhand by April 4 and via Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for the following five days.
Weather in Delhi
The meteorological agency has predicted strong heat waves in isolated places between April 3 and 6. According to the IMD, a severe heat wave is declared when the deviation from normal temperature exceeds 6.4 levels.
The maximum temperature in the state capital on Saturday was 39.4 degrees Celsius, six levels above the normal value for the season, the IMD said.
Rainfall Forecast
However, rains or thunderstorms have been observed in isolated locations over West Bengal south of Himalayas, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karaikal .
The IMD forecast also warned of widespread or heavy rains over these regions over the next five days. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya will rain heavily till April 5.
A similar weather system will prevail in the sub-Himalayan part of West Bengal and Sikkim until April 4. Meghalaya is also likely to experience extremely heavy rains on April 3-4.
India experiences hottest March in 122 years
India recorded its hottest March in 122 years with a severe heatwave that scorched much of the country during the month, it said the Indian Meteorological Department on Saturday.
The meteorological service attributed the unusual heat to the lack of rain due to the absence of active western disturbances over northern India and the absence of a major system over southern India.
“Across the country, the average maximum temperature recorded in March 2022 (33.10 degrees Celsius) is the highest in 122 years,” the IMD said in a statement.