Heatwave in North India: IMD issues severe alert, temperature to rise above 45° today

Delhi and its neighbouring areas, including Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, are expected to endure a heat wave between May 17 and May 22, according to the Met Department's meteorological bulletin.

A warning for extreme heatwave conditions is in effect for much of north India today, May 18, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions very likely in many pockets of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Rajasthan, and few pockets of East Rajasthan," IMD stated in a tweet on X.

On May 18, 2024, there will most likely be heatwave conditions in a few or isolated areas of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch.

In a post on X, the IMD said, "Extreme Maximum temperatures reported on 17th May, 2024 as per National Data Centre, India Meteorological Department."

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

The Met Department states that heatwave conditions arise when the maximum temperature rises to 45 degrees Celsius, or 4.5 degrees above usual. Delhi reached a maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius in May 2023, however there was no heatwave that month.

Highlighting the meteorological trends, senior IMD scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar told ANI, "From April until recent days, continuous western disturbances influenced Northwest India, resulting in isolated rainfall in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, thereby keeping temperatures relatively moderate. However, May saw temperatures soar, reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius in numerous locations across the country."

The IMD recommended that individuals "wear lightweight and loose cotton clothes" and stay out of the heat. According to IMD, it's advisable to protect your head with an umbrella, hat, or piece of cloth.

IMD's forecast for South India

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, and south Karnataka in the next few days.

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