New Delhi: Parts of India experienced a blistering heatwave on Saturday, with temperatures hovering between 40 to 46 degrees Celsius in many regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported heatwave to severe heatwave conditions prevailing in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gangetic West Bengal throughout the day.
This ongoing heatwave marks the second spell this month, impacting areas of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal. Earlier, the first spell scorched parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Maximum temperatures in some locations were recorded seven to eight degrees above normal.
In Odisha, Baripada and Boudh saw temperatures reach 45.2 degrees Celsius, while Midnapore and Bankura in West Bengal recorded 44.5 degrees Celsius and 44.6 degrees Celsius, respectively. Daltonganj and Jamshedpur in Jharkhand registered 43.6 degrees Celsius and 43.5 degrees Celsius, respectively, with Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh reporting 43 degrees Celsius.
The Met department issued a red alert for several districts of West Bengal due to the prevailing heatwave, with extreme heatwave-like conditions expected in some areas from Sunday onwards.
The rising temperatures prompted the district administration of Patna to adjust school timings starting from Saturday.
“All schools in the state capital are instructed to change the timings... from 6.30 am to 11.30 am... I, under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, do hereby prohibit the academic activities for all the Classes (up to 10th class) of Private and Government Schools (including Pre-schools, Anganwadi Centres) of the District from 11.30 am to 4 pm,” Patna District Magistrate Shirsat Kapil Ashok said.
In another distressing incident in West Bengal, a Doordarshan anchor collapsed while delivering live news from the Kolkata branch. Sinha shared her ordeal on Facebook, shedding light on her health condition.
Amid weakening El Nino conditions, the IMD had previously cautioned about extreme heat during the April-June period. The forecast predicts an intense heatwave as compared to normal, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
The intense heatwave could strain power grids and lead to water shortages in various parts of the country. Global weather agencies anticipate La Nina conditions to develop later in the year, potentially impacting rainfall patterns during the monsoon season.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are predicted for parts of Andhra Pradesh from April 21 to April 25. Similar weather conditions are expected in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema on Sunday, with gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 50 km per hour.
IMD also issued a rain alert for 21 districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Jabalpur and Gwalior, for Sunday, with wind speeds reaching 30 to 50 km per hour. The weather office also predicted light to moderate rain in several districts in Kerala on Sunday.