Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi : Several places recorded a temperature of above 45 degrees, with the met department predicting the continuation of very hot days over the next few days. Already reeling under a deadly heat wave, a few places in Delhi are likely to see the mercury touch the 46-degree Celsius mark on Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Summer came early this year and severe heatwave has gripped most parts of India this time with record temperatures being reported in March itself. India is suffering from extreme weather, with a blistering heatwave sweeping through large parts of the country.
The Safdarjung observatory – Delhi’s base station – had recorded a maximum temperature of 43.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the highest in April in 12 years.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for five states, including Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. The sweltering heat is also leading to power shortages in the country as the demand for power supply has shot up. Power cuts are expected to worsen in the coming days as the heatwaves and a pickup in economic activity are seen increasing electricity demand at the fastest pace in nearly four decades. An intense heatwave broiled Delhi on Wednesday, with the Safdarjung observatory recording a maximum temperature of 43.5 degrees Celsius, the highest in April in 12 years. The national capital had recorded a maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius on April 18, 2010. The all-time high temperature for the month was 45.6 degrees Celsius recorded on April 29, 1941. The mercury leaped to 46 degrees Celsius at Sports Complex, making it the warmest place in the capital. Ridge (45.1 degrees Celsius), Mungeshpur (45.8 degrees Celsius), Najafgarh (45.4 degrees Celsius) and Pitampura (45.2 degrees Celsius) recorded the maximum temperature at least five notches above normal. The mercury maintained an upward trend in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad recorded the highest temperature of 45.9 degree Celsius on Thursday. Meanwhile, Khajuraho and Nowgong in Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest temperature of 45.6 degree Celsius, followed by Khargone at 45.2 degrees Celsius. India’s coldest hill stations are also reeling under the heatwave conditions. The winter capital Jammu has recorded its hottest day on Wednesday with the mercury touching 40 degrees Celsius. The IMD has predicted heatwave conditions for parts of north and central India for the next five days – with conditions likely to improve after five days. An orange alert has been issued for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra for the next four days. The ‘orange alert’ means that the residents must be prepared. According to weather experts, the temperatures in the country may even leap to 47 degree Celsius in parts of northwest India. Amid a deepening crisis in coal shortage, the Delhi government on Thursday warned of a possible setback in providing uninterrupted electricity supply to important establishments in the capital, including Metro trains and hospitals. Power Minister Satyendar Jain held an emergency meeting to assess the situation and wrote to the Centre requesting it to ensure adequate coal availability to power plants that supply electricity to the national capital.
“The temperature at the Safdarjung observatory is likely to go up by 0.5 degree Celsius to 1 degree Celsius on Friday. It may even touch 46 degrees Celsius at some places,” senior scientist RK Jenamani said.
Haryana, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are likely to log peak temperatures on Friday, he added.
Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana may witness light rain and thunderstorm between May 2 and May 4. The maximum temperature will be between 36 degrees and 39 degrees Celsius, Jenamani said.
The IMD has issued an “orange” alert, warning people of a severe heat wave in many parts of Delhi on Friday and Saturday.
The Met department uses four colour codes for weather warnings – “green” (no action needed), “yellow” (watch and stay updated), “orange” (be prepared) and “red” (take action).
Amid the rising heat and growing power demand, the Delhi government on Thursday warned of a possible setback in providing uninterrupted electricity supply for critical services in the capital, including Metro trains and hospitals.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said his government is somehow handling the power supply situation in Delhi and called for quick, concrete steps to tackle the electricity crisis facing the country.
The IMD said Delhi may also see a partly cloudy sky, light rain and a dust storm with winds gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour on Friday and Sunday, which may provide temporary respite.
The heat wave is expected to abate from Monday under the influence of a western disturbance, which is likely to affect northwest India from the night of May 1, it said.