May 18, 2016
NEW DELHI: An intense heat wave is sweeping across northern, central and
western India. According to the meteorological department, the "severe" condition
will continue till Saturday. The Met has issued Red level weather alert over Delhi
and other places, calling for people to move out of the danger zones or stay
indoors with adequate heat-proof arrangements.
Severe heat wave conditions will continue to prevail in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the weather
forecast warned. In Delhi, with mercury touching 47 deg C, streets were deserted,
similarly in all the other affected States. Churu in Rajasthan recorded 49.1 deg C.
Certain places in Odisha have touched 48 deg C. Telangana alone has recorded
over 300 deaths due to heat stress.
Weather codes: The YELLOW level weather alert (be aware) is
for conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to the general population. It
is limited to nature of occupation and/or location.
The ORANGE level weather alert (be prepared) is for all the polulation of
the affected region, that they should get ready to face the anticipated conditions,
by making necessary arrangements to protect themselves and their property.
The RED alert (take action) calls for action to protect oneself and one's
properties. This could mean moving out of the danger zone temporarily or staying
indoors with heat-proof arrangements.
The forecast is that any major relief cannot be expected before May 27 when the
intensity of the heat will get reduced gradually somewhat. However, duststorms
are expected to bring down the temperature after May 21.
WARNING:
18 May: Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely at a few places over
Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat;
heat wave likely at isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra.
19 May: Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely at a few places over
Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
and Vidarbha; Heat wave likely at a few places over Punjab.
20 May: Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely at a few places over
Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Rajasthan and west Madhya Pradesh; Heat
wave likely at a few places over Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and
Vidarbha.
21 May: Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely at a few places over
Rajasthan; Heat wave likely at a few places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and
Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Heat wave at isolated places over
East Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Vidarbha.
Meanwhile, it rained heavily in the southern States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in
the past few days. Heavy rain occurred at isolated places over coastal Andhra
Pradesh on Wednesday.
The Southwest Monsoon advanced into southeast Bay of Bengal and south
Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands on Wednesday. The conditions are favourable
for further advance of the monsoon.