Heatwave Alerts Issued Across India, EC Says ‘No Concerns’ Ahead Of 2nd Phase Of Lok Sabha Voting

Heatwave Alert: Reacting to the forecasts by IMD, the ECI said that there is no major concern regarding the heatwave for phase 2 polling scheduled to take place on April 26, Friday.  

Heatwave Alert Issued Across India, Northeast Sees Rain (Representational Image)

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised warnings of heat wave to severe that heatwave in various regions, including West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Konkan, parts of Karnataka, and Telangana, over the next five days. Additionally, the IMD forecasted heatwave conditions for Maharashtra’s Thane and Raigad districts, and parts of Mumbai from April 27 to 29. Reacting to the forecasts by IMD, the Election Commission of India, in a press release, said that there is no major concern regarding the heatwave for phase 2 polling scheduled to take place on April 26, Friday.  

However, amidst the heatwave alerts, relief is expected in the Northeastern states as Arunachal Pradesh is likely to experience heavy rainfall on Wednesday and during the upcoming weekend, the IMD said in its press release. 

Northeast May Receive Light To Moderate Rainfall

Furthermore, Northeastern states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall or snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, as stated by IMD.

"Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied with isolated thunderstorm & lightning & gusty winds (30-40 kmph) very likely over Arunachal Pradesh, and isolated to scattered rainfall over Assam & Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura during 23rd -29th April, 2024," the weather office said. 

Northwest India Likely To Witness Hailstorms 

In the Northwestern region, influenced by a fresh western disturbance, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are expected to observe light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over the next five days, the Met office said. Punjab and Haryana may witness hailstorms on Friday and Saturday. 

"Isolated rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds (30-40 kmph) very likely over Punjab and Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi on 23rd, 26 & 27th; East Rajasthan on 26th; Uttar Pradesh on 23rd April, 2024," IMD said.

"Isolated Hailstorm very likely over Punjab & Haryana on 26th & 27th April, 2024," it added. 

Heatwave Alert For South India

Since mid-April, heatwave conditions have persisted in Odisha and parts of West Bengal, with temperatures soaring between 40 and 42 degrees Celcius. On Tuesday, isolated pockets in the region experienced severe heatwave conditions, with maximum temperatures reaching 43-44 degrees Celcius over several other parts of Rayalaseema, as well as isolated areas in south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and north Tamil Nadu. 

"Heat Wave to severe heat wave conditions very likely to prevail in some pockets over Gangetic West Bengal & in isolated pockets over Odisha during next 5 days," IMD said.

Heat wave conditions in isolated pockets over Interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim during next 5 days; Tamil Nadu on 23rd & 24th; Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana, East Uttar Pradesh during 24th - 27th and West Uttar Pradesh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam during 25th-27th; Konkan on 27th April," it added. 

After Rain Lashes Delhi On Tuesday Temperature Rises Again On Wednesday

Meanwhile, parts of Delhi experienced a significant drop in temperature on Tuesday evening following rainfall. However, the respite was short-lived, with temperatures expected to rise again starting Wednesday, the IMD predicted. 

READ | Delhi NCR Gets Heavy Rains Though IMD Predicted Clear Sky

EC Says ‘No Major Concern’ Regarding Heatwave For Phase 2 Polling

After IMD issued a heatwave alert the Election Commission Of India (ECI) said that there is “no major concern” regarding the heatwave in the wake of the second phase of polling for Lok Sabah Elections 20224. 

“DG IMD today informed the Election Commission that there is no major concern with regard to heat wave for phase 2 of the General Elections scheduled on the 26th of this month. The weather forecast is normal for the 13 States/UTs going for polls in Phase 2,” the poll body said in a statement released on Monday. 

“In view of reports of above normal temperatures and heat waves in certain parts of the country, the Commission today held a meeting with concerned agencies to understand the developing weather situation and discuss measures to mitigate any risk due to hot weather conditions during the period of General Elections,” it said further. 

The Lok Sabha's second phase of voting is scheduled for April 26. The phase will cover 89 constituencies across 13 states, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir.