‘From April 16 onwards …’: Heatwave to return in Delhi, Andhra, northwest India after short breather

Heatwave

After a short break from the heat due to the recent rain and thunderstorms, Delhi is expected to heat up again starting April 16. This rise in temperature is likely as the impact of the western disturbance over the region begins to fade. Delhi has earlier experienced a heatwave for three consecutive days from April 7 to 9.

Temperatures across northwest India are expected to rise gradually by 4-6°C over the next six days. In central India, temperatures will remain steady for about a day, but then gradually increase by 2-3°C over the next five days.

Maharashtra may get a brief respite, with a dip of 2-3°C in the next couple of days, but the heat will return soon after, with temperatures likely to rise by 2-4°C. Gujarat will also see a gradual 2-4°C temperature increase over the next six days.

The IMD has issed heatwave warnings for other states too:

West Rajasthan: Heatwave on April 14-15, and severe heatwave in some areas from April 16-18.DeR

East Rajasthan: May face severe heatwave in isolated spots on April 18.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam: Heatwave likely on April 13.

Gujarat: Heatwave expected from April 15-17.

Punjab, Haryana, East Rajasthan, and West Madhya Pradesh: Likely to experience heatwave conditions between April 16-18.

IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was quoted by TOI as saying: "We are currently not having heatwave condition in any part of India because of the recent thundershower activity in various pockets. However, we do expect an upcoming heatwave spell for three-four days, mainly Gujarat and west Rajasthan."

Weather analysts from Skymet Weather said while April is generally the beginning of the heatwave season and typically marked only the beginning of milder heatwave conditions in India, this year witnessed severe intensity much earlier than normal.