The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised a red alert for several states in East and South Peninsular India due to a prolonged and severe heatwave expected to persist for the next five days. The affected regions include coastal Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and interior Karnataka, with isolated pockets of Bihar, Jharkhand, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rayalaseema, and coastal Karnataka also facing heatwave conditions.
According to the IMD, heatwave conditions are forecasted in specific areas during specific periods, with red alerts issued for Gangetic West Bengal indicating a high risk of heat illnesses and heat stroke across all age groups. Orange alerts have been issued for Odisha, Bihar, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Interior Karnataka, and Rayalaseema, highlighting an increased risk of heat illness symptoms.
Vulnerable populations, such as infants and the elderly, are particularly susceptible, prompting authorities to emphasize the importance of preventive measures and extreme caution during this period of intense heat.
However, relief may be on the horizon as the IMD predicts a fresh spell of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in Northwest India from April 26 to April 28. Northeast India is also expected to experience heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds on specific dates.
A cyclonic circulation over northeast Assam is set to bring widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall over Arunachal Pradesh, while isolated heavy rainfall is predicted in the region. Additionally, weather systems like a cyclonic circulation over the Jammu division and northwest Uttar Pradesh, along with a Western Disturbance over Iran, are expected to influence weather patterns in northern regions.
Regions like Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, South Madhya Pradesh, and interior Karnataka may experience isolated to scattered rainfall/snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds during this period.
The IMD’s comprehensive forecasts and alerts serve as crucial guidance for residents and authorities to prepare for and mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions, ensuring public safety and well-being during challenging meteorological scenarios.
Sources By Agencies
