In recent days, the northwestern regions of India have been grappling with an intense heatwave and soaring temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave warning for Northwestern India for the next five days. Meanwhile, central and eastern parts of the country are expected to experience similar conditions for the next three days. The situation reached an alarming level on Friday when Najafgarh, Delhi, recorded a scorching temperature of 47.6 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest spot in the nation.
The IMD's red alert for Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana has been raised, indicating the severity of the heatwave. Additionally, parts of eastern Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh have been put under an orange alert. Residents are being strongly advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to combat the extreme heat.
Across various regions, temperatures have soared above 45 degrees Celsius. In Rajasthan alone, 19 locations reported temperatures exceeding this threshold, followed by 18 in Haryana, eight in Delhi, and two in Punjab. A heatwave is officially declared when the maximum temperature in plains reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius, 37 degrees Celsius in coastal areas, and around 30 degrees Celsius in hilly regions. Moreover, the departure from average temperatures should be at least 4.5 degrees Celsius.
Despite this heatwave gripping the northwest, some relief is expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, where temperatures are forecasted to remain within normal ranges. However, Uttarakhand may experience warm and humid conditions.
Meanwhile, South India is gearing up for heavy to hefty rainfall until May 23, with particularly intense downpours anticipated between May 19 and May 21. The IMD has issued alerts for the potential advancement of the southwest monsoon into parts of the South Andaman Sea, Southeast Bay of Bengal, and the Nicobar Islands by around May 19.
Experts have noted a concerning trend regarding heatwaves. A group of prominent climate scientists warned that such extreme heat events could occur roughly once every 30 years. However, due to climate change, the likelihood of these occurrences has surged dramatically, estimated to be about 45 times more frequent than before. This alarming rise in the probability of heatwaves poses severe challenges, especially for vulnerable populations across Asia, where poverty and lack of resources exacerbate the impact of extreme weather events.
The IMD had previously issued warnings about excessive heat during the April to June period, highlighting the need for proactive measures to mitigate its effects. These warnings underscore the importance of climate resilience and adaptation strategies, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to address climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In conclusion, the severe heatwave gripping Northwestern India underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and implementing adaptive measures to protect vulnerable communities. The simultaneous rainfall alerts in South India remind us of the complex and interconnected nature of weather patterns, further highlighting the need for comprehensive climate resilience strategies at both national and international levels.
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