The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for heatwave conditions in parts of peninsular and eastern India over the next two days. These areas include Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, North Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and Telangana.
Heatwaves are characterized by dangerously high temperatures that pose health risks to individuals exposed to them. According to IMD standards, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature in a region exceeds 40 degrees Celsius for plains and 30 degrees Celsius for hilly areas.
Heat Wave conditions very likely in isolated pockets of #TamilNadu, Interior #Karnataka and #Telangana on 06th & 7th April, 2024.#WeatherUpdate #HeatWaveAlert #Heatwave@moesgoi @ndmaindia @airnewsalerts @DDNewslive pic.twitter.com/R3a90HxpCa
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) April 6, 2024
Recent data from the IMD indicates that maximum temperatures on Friday surged between 40-43°C across several regions including Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Odisha, Rayalaseema, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Madhya Maharashtra, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, North Interior Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. These temperatures were notably 2-4°C above the normal range.
Saturday saw minimum temperatures 3-5°C higher than usual in certain spots in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat Region, Madhya Maharashtra, West Bengal & Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura.
Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest temperature on Friday at 43.7 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Bhubaneswar and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh at 43.5 degrees Celsius.
In response to the rising temperatures, eight individuals in Odisha were hospitalized due to heat-related illnesses, as reported by news agency ANI. Director of Public Health Odisha, Niranjan Mishra, emphasized the importance of preparedness for heat-related illnesses and issued guidelines and training for medical professionals across all districts.
The IMD predicts heatwave conditions in isolated areas of Tamil Nadu, interior Karnataka, and Telangana on Saturday and Sunday, and in Odisha, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, and Rayalaseema on Saturday.
Additionally, “warm nights” with maximum temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or higher are anticipated in isolated areas of North Interior Karnataka and Telangana on Saturday and Sunday, and in East Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Odisha on Saturday.
Hot and humid conditions are expected in various regions from Saturday until April 10, including Kerala & Maharashtra, coastal areas of Saurashtra & Kutch, Odisha, West Bengal, Coastal Karnataka, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, and Rayalaseema.
