Not just northern plains, Himalayan states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir have also been experiencing extreme temperatures this year.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 43.1 degrees Celsius while Mussoorie sizzled at 43 degrees Celsius. Even hill towns such as Pauri and Nainital are experiencing a heatwave with little to no rainfall in three months, as per a report by NDTV.
Himachal Pradesh is blazing at 44 degrees -- 6.7 degrees above average. In Jammu and Kashmir, Katra recorded a maximum temperature of 40.8 degrees Celsius, while the mercury touched 44.3 degrees in Jammu.
"Red alert has been issued in North India. North-West Himalayan region of India including Punjab and Haryana will experience cloudy weather from evening and rain is also expected...The heatwave situation is likely to reduce in Punjab and Haryana...From tomorrow, Orange alert will be issued in Delhi...In the next 3-4 days, there is a possibility of light rain in Delhi," IMD scientist Soma Sen told ANI.
While parts of Garhwal and Kumaon regions in Uttarakhand are experiencing severe heatwave conditions, Kangra, Una, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Solan, Hamirpur, Chamba, Sirmaur and Bilaspur observed unprecedented rise in temperatures.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and J&K witnessed heatwaves for the first time. According to IMD, Himachal Pradesh experienced 12 heatwave days and J&K saw six till June 9. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand observed two days of heatwave.
The IMD has issued a red alert in Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttarakhand, Bihar on June 18 and in Uttar Pradesh from June 18 to 20. An orange alert has been issued for Himachal Pradesh on June 18, north Madhya Pradesh on June 18 and 19, Uttar Pradesh on June 21 and 22, and Jharkhand on June 18.
The yellow alert areas include Jammu division, north Coastal Andhra Pradesh (June 18), north Rajasthan (June 18 and 19), Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand (June 19).
According to IMD, a hilly region experiences heatwave when the maximum temperature is over 30 degrees Celsius, with 4.5 degrees Celsius above normal for two consecutive days. The readings must be recorded at least two monitoring stations. For plains and coastal areas this threshold is 40 and 37 degrees Celsius respectively.
“The unprecedented rise in temperatures in India’s hill states has broken all records this year, posing severe implications for both humans and the environment. This rapid heatwave is a matter of serious concern and requires urgent, long-term technical and policy solutions,” Dr Mashhood Alam, Project Lead at National CSR Network, told The Week.
Former IMD Director General, KJ Ramesh, told NDTV that respite from the sweeping heatwave was expected this week. A shift in winds through the Arabian Sea has delayed the cooling down of the plains, according to Ramesh.
"Another reason is that the monsoon has been stagnant over West Bengal since June 1. If the monsoon does not cover these areas, north India will remain under a continuous heatwave," he said.
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