New Delhi: The heatwave in India continues as the temperature reached above 46 degrees Celsius in many regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several states. And according to the forecasts, the situation may get worse.
According to a report by news agency PTI, the national capital recorded the second hottest April in the last 72 years. The monthly average maximum temperature of Delhi in April was 40.2 degrees Celsius.
The highest monthly average maximum temperature in Delhi was 40.4 degrees Celsius in 2010.
This year, the lowest temperature experienced in Delhi was on April 21, 35.2 degrees Celsius. All other days experienced higher than normal temperatures.
The city recorded the highest temperature of 43.5 degrees Celsius on April 28 and 29. This is the highest maximum temperature of April in the last 12 years.
Heatwave Lingers Over North India
Delhi is not alone to witness the searing heatwave. Rajasthan broiled under severe heat on Friday with Dholpur being the hottest at 46.5 degrees Celsius. And as per the predictions by the Met department, the condition is likely to continue for the next three to four days.
The night temperature hovered around 30 degrees Celsius in the state with Bundi recording 31.2 degrees Celsius and Jaipur recording 31.1 degrees Celsius.
On Friday, Sriganganagar recorded a maximum temperature of 46.4 degrees Celsius, Sangaria 46 degrees Celsius, Karauli 45.7 degrees Celsius, Alwar 45.3 degrees Celsius and Churu 45.2 degrees Celsius.
East India Broils In Heatwave
Odisha recorded a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius in Boudh town with the temperature crossing the 40 degrees mark in 25 places.
Nine weather stations recorded 43 degrees or more, with Boudh town logging 45 degrees, the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre said.
The maximum temperature shot up to 44.7 degrees in the industrial town of Angul, followed by 44.6 in Deogarh, 44.5 in Talcher, and 44 in Bolangir.
Considering the heatwave situation, the IMD has issued guidelines for people to go out between 11 am and 3 pm.
Meanwhile, the heatwave conditions abated slightly in West Bengal on Friday but the temperatures are still high.
Purulia recorded the day's highest temperature in the state at 42.5 degrees Celsius, while Bankura, which crossed the 44 degrees mark a day before, was comparatively cooler at 40.4 degrees Celsius, the Met department said.
Considering the continuing heatwave conditions in the country, state governments have started announcing early summer vacations in schools to prevent students from getting heatstroke.
On Friday, the Punjab government announced that summer vacations will be observed from May 14. The decision was taken after suggestions from parents and teachers, CM Bhagwant Mann said.
(With Inputs From PTI)