Intense Heatwave Grips North India: IMD Issues Red Alert
New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab due to an intense heatwave that has engulfed the region over the past week. Temperatures have soared above 46 degrees Celsius across north India, including Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Jharkhand. In Bihar, 22 people have tragically died in the last 24 hours due to the severe heat and high humidity.
Delhi’s “Feels-Like” Temperature Hits 50 Degrees
In Delhi, the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 45 degrees Celsius, which is over 6 degrees higher than the average for June. The IMD reported that the heat index, or the “feels-like” temperature, surged to 50 degrees Celsius on Monday.
The extreme heat caused a significant delay for an IndiGo flight from Delhi to West Bengal on Monday. The flight was delayed by over three hours due to a technical issue caused by the high ground temperatures. While Delhi might get some slight relief starting Wednesday with scattered rains and duststorms, there is no long-term relief expected at the moment.
Soaring Temperatures Across Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir
In Uttarakhand, Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 43.1 degrees Celsius, while Mussoorie was just as hot at 43 degrees Celsius. Even traditionally cooler hill towns like Pauri and Nainital are experiencing heatwaves due to little to no rainfall over the past three months.
In Himachal Pradesh, the temperature has climbed to 44 degrees Celsius, which is 6.7 degrees above average. Jammu and Kashmir are also sweltering, with Katra recording 40.8 degrees Celsius and Jammu reaching 44.3 degrees Celsius. In Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, the temperature peaked at 47.6 degrees Celsius.
When Will There Be Relief from the Heatwave?
As temperatures continue to rise, only minimal relief from the heatwave is expected in the coming week. Former IMD Director General, KJ Ramesh, told NDTV that while relief was anticipated this week, a shift in winds from the Arabian Sea has delayed the cooling of the plains.
The IMD predicts that after Wednesday, a new western disturbance will approach northwest India, including the national capital, which should bring some respite from the intense heat.
