IMD warns of heatwave over next five days across Rajasthan, Delhi, UP, Haryana

Strong heatwave is likely to enhance across northern India, warns IMD

A strong heatwave is likely to enhance across northern India over the next five days, which is forecast to stretch over next two weeks, according to IMD.

Across the plains of north west India, a maximum temperature of 45 degrees is expected over the next five days, according to IMD. So far, this season's maximum temperature has been recorded by IMD at 46.2 degrees in Phalodi, Rajasthan, on May 9.

Delhi and the surrounding areas, which include Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, are likely to experience heat wave between May 17 and May 22, the met department said in its weather update.

Heatwave conditions will prevail over the national capital for two days from May 18 to May 19, with the mercury hitting a maximum temperature of 45 degree Celsius. IMD said the Union territory will witness “mainly clear sky with strong surface winds during the day and heat wave”.

Also read: Delhi records hottest day of season at 42.5 deg Celsius, heatwave likely on Saturday

The weather department also said while the temperature will remain in the moderate range and the heat will be tolerable for the general public, there will be some health concern for vulnerable groups such as infants, elderly and people with chronic diseases.

The IMD advised people to avoid exposure to heat and to “wear lightweight and loose cotton clothes”. Umbrella, hat or a cloth should be used to cover the head as well, IMD said it its advisory.

Various pockets of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh during the week are set to witness heat wave conditions, while north Madhya Pradesh see mercury rising between May 18 and May 20, IMD said.

The weather update also said that severe heat wave conditions also very likely in some parts of West Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana between May 17 and 20.  Additionally, some states in the east and the west are also likely to see heat wave conditions. According to IMD, isolated regions in Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, Konkan region in Maharashtra, and the Gangetic parts of West Bengal are set to experience heat waves.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is forecast across southern peninsular India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The advancement of south west monsoon will likely happen during the week starting May 23.

IMD said light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds are expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, south Karnataka in the next few days.

Parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are also expected to witness extremely heavy rainfall between May 16 and May 20, the met department said.

Thunderstorm and moderate rainfall conditions are also likely to prevail over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, Rayalaseema in the next 7 days, according to the weather update.

In the west, light rainfall with lightning, thunderstorm and gutsy wind is also expected over Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathawada in the next few days.