Heatwave Warning: Temperature Touches 50 Degrees In Rajasthan’s Phalodi, IMD Issues ‘Red Alert’ In These States

While the temperature in Phalodi touched 50 degrees Celsius, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Churu witnessed mercury crossing 47 degrees. 

Amid the intense heatwave conditions prevailing over Rajasthan, the highest maximum temperature was recorded over Phalodi in West Rajasthan at 50 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning in view of the severe heatwave conditions, forecasting that it will continue to affect the region in the upcoming days.

Due to the forecast of extreme heatwave in the days ahead, IMD has sounded a red alert for 13 districts in Rajasthan including Baran, Alwar, Kota, Barmer, Jalore, Bikaner, Churu, Jodhpur, Hanumangarh, Pali, Sriganganagar, Jaisalmer, and Nagaur, till Monday.

While Phalodi touched 50 degrees Celsius, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Churu witnessed mercury crossing 47 degrees. 

The unrelenting heat in Rajsthan has caused suffering for the people the past week, claiming the lives of around six more people due to heat-related health issues in the last 24 hours.

Phalodi's 50 degrees Celsius temperature was the third highest maximum for the month of May. In May 2016, the city recorded 51degrees, which was the highest temperature ever recorded in India, followed by 50.5 degrees Celsius on May 18, 2016.

According to the IMD, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and isolated pockets of Haryana and Vidarbha also suffered due to the searing heatwave conditions on May 25. Besides Rajasthan, isolated pockets of Assam also reeled under heatwave to severe heatwave conditions.

The national capital too had no respite from heat as Najafgarh sweltered at 46.8 degrees Celsius.

Here is IMD's heatwave forecast for the next four days till May 29 

A "red alert" warning has been issued by the IMD for Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, in view of a "very high likelihood" of heatstroke and heat illness for all age groups amid the searing heatwave.

May 26

As per IMD's forecast, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are very likely in various parts of Rajasthan, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and few parts of Punjab, along with isolated pockets of West Uttar Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh.

Besides this, heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail in isolated pockets of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Vidarbha, Saurashtra, and Kutch today.

May 27

Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will very likely prevail in several parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, on May 27.

A few parts of West Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, will also witness intense heatwave conditions on Monday.

IMD has also forecast heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of Jammu and Kashmir, East Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha on May 27.

May 28

"Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions very likely in many parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, few parts of Madhya Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh and heatwave conditions very likely in isolated pockets of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha on May 28," IMD stated.

May 29

On May 29, few parts of Punjab, East Rajasthan, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Madhya Pradesh, and many parts of West Rajasthan, will very likely experience heatwave to severe heatwave conditions. Additionally, heatwave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha on May 29.