Intense Heatwave Sweeps Through India with Temperatures Exceeding 40 Degrees in Numerous Areas

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported severe heatwave conditions in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gangetic West Bengal during the day. This current heatwave is the second spell this month, with the first impacting parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.

On Saturday, maximum temperatures at some places were recorded seven to eight degrees above normal. Specific temperatures included Baripada and Boudh in Odisha at 45.2 degrees Celsius, Midnapore and Bankura in West Bengal at 44.5 degrees Celsius and 44.6 degrees Celsius, Daltonganj and Jamshedpur in Jharkhand at 43.6 degrees Celsius and 43.5 degrees Celsius, and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh at 43 degrees Celsius.

The criteria for a heatwave include maximum temperatures reaching at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hilly regions, with a departure from normal of at least 4.5 notches. A severe heatwave is declared when the departure from normal temperature exceeds 6.4 notches.

The IMD had earlier warned of extreme heat due to El Nino conditions during the April-June period when general elections are taking place. The agency is predicting more heatwave days than normal for April, with expectations of a prolonged heatwave in various states, potentially leading to power strain and water shortages in parts of India.

Global weather agencies, including the IMD, are anticipating the development of La Nina conditions later in the year. El Nino conditions are linked to weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India, while La Nina conditions typically bring abundant rainfall during the monsoon season.

The IMD predicts above-normal cumulative rainfall in the 2024 monsoon season due to expected La Nina conditions, which is vital for India’s agricultural landscape and critical for replenishing reservoirs used for drinking water and power generation.