New Delhi: Summer has arrived already and parts of North India is already feeling the heat, literally. The mercury has been soaring in parts of Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature is expected to rise in most regions of the country during the next three days.
Maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal by 2-4 degrees Celsius over many parts of northwest, central, east, northeast India, and north Peninsular India.
Here is all you need to know about heatwave conditions across states:
Delhi
The national capital is experiencing dry and warm winds, with the Safdarjung Observatory recording a high of 33 degrees Celsius on Monday. According to IMD, it was Delhi's highest maximum temperature of the season.
The maximum temperature in the city was four degrees Celsius more than the season's normal. The humidity levels fluctuated between 94% and 37%. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature was 17 degrees Celsius, a notch higher than the season's normal.
The maximum temperature on Tuesday is likely to hover around 34 degrees Celsius, and a clear sky has been forecast. The minimum and maximum temperature readings on Wednesday are likely to settle at 20 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius respectively, according to IMD forecast data.
"Temperature will rise till March 18 between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius. There will be some wind conditions so there will be some respite on March 18 and 19. The rise in temperature will continue thereafter," an official informed ANI.
Mumbai
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the next two days, warning of a heatwave across the north Konkan, Thane, Mumbai, and Raigad regions.
It has been predicted that the maximum temperature in Mumbai will be around 40 degrees Celsius over the next two days. Mumbai registered a high of 38.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
The Santacruz observatory reported a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, which is eight degrees more than normal.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to citizens to stay safe and hydrated and avoid going out in the afternoon. A person suffering from a heat stroke should immediately be taken to hospital, the BMC said. The civic body asked people to increase the intake of water and other healthy fluids.
Gujarat
As the country's heatwave worsens, the IMD has issued a 'yellow' alert for Tuesday and Wednesday in Gujarat. The IMD said that the regions of Gujarat and Saurashtra are likely to see a severe heatwave and the temperature in Ahmedabad is likely to jump by 1-2 degrees.
Rajasthan
The meteorological department said the maximum temperature in the state is likely to increase by two to three notches in the coming days. On March 16 and 17, there is a possibility of heatwave at some places in southwest Rajasthan.
The maximum temperature in most other parts of the state was recorded between 33.8 degrees Celsius and 39.3 degrees Celsius.