Severe Heatwave, Forest Fire & Heavy Showers: As Heat Turns Half of India Into Furnace, Rain Kills 4 in Kerala
Severe Heatwave, Forest Fire & Heavy Showers: As Heat Turns Half of India Into Furnace, Rain Kills 4 in Kerala
At least 24 places in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh recorded maximum temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius or above on Wednesday

The blistering heat across the country, especially Northern India, continued to unabated on Wednesday as the maximum temperature breached the 48 degree-Celsius mark in Rajasthan’s Barmar, the highest in India so far this season.

Official data showed that at least 24 places in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh recorded maximum temperatures of 45 degree-Celsius or above on Wednesday.

Conditions are likely to worsen as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a rise of three to four degrees in northwest India over the next few days.

On the other hand, a red alert was issued for several parts of Kerala as torrential rain killed at least four people across the state. According to the IMD, a red alert was issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki.

Rain Lashes Kerala, IMD Issues Alert

At least four people lost their lives as torrential rain lashed several parts of Kerala, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday sounding a red alert in five districts that were likely to receive heavy rainfall.

According to the weather department, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were earlier placed under an orange alert, the IMD later upgraded the warning, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places there.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad continue to be on orange alert, while Kannur and Kasaragod remain on yellow alert, the IMD said.

Meanwhile, parts of the Cochin city corporation in the Ernakulam district were inundated after heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening. The KSDMA has warned the fishermen against venturing into the sea until further warning.

Odisha Likely To Recieve Rainfall This Weekend

A low-pressure area has formed in the Bay of Bengal and under its influence northern Odisha districts are likely to receive rainfall, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday.

The low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal off north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast is very likely to move north-eastwards and will turn into a depression by May 24 morning, the IMD said.

The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall (7 cm to 11 cm) likely in isolated places of Balasore district from May 24 and moderate rainfall in other northern Odisha districts.

The weather body also cautioned fishermen not to venture into the sea on May 23 and 24 as sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough.

Delhi Weather Today

The heatwaves-like condition continued in Delhi and its adjoining states during the day followed by heavy gusty winds in the night on Wednesday. The maximum temperature in many parts touched 45 degrees or above.

Water levels in the Delhi stretch of the Yamuna River dropped amid the sweltering heat, affecting water supply with the AAP government alleging that disruption of water supply by Haryana ahead of the polling day citing political motives.

The national capital also saw power demand reaching a record 8,000 megawatts, with air conditioners, coolers, and refrigerators in homes and offices running at full throttle.

Massive Forest Fire in Jammu’s Poonch

A massive forest fire was reported in the Tanda area of Sundarbani on Jammu Poonch national highway due to the ongoing heatwave conditions followed by the dry spell in the region. The fire has been on for the last three days and has already damaged a large part of the forest.

The fire was reportedly spreading to the nearby inhabited area putting the life and property of the local population at risk.

MET department predicting that the temperature in Jammu by this weekend could soar up to 44 degree-Celsius.

Rajasthan Hottest In India So Far This Season

The mercury surged to over 48 degree-Celsius in Rajasthan’s Barmer, the highest temperature recorded in the country this year so far.

Barmer recorded a maximum temperature of 48 degree-Celsius, the highest in the country this season so far while Churu logged a high of 47.4 degrees, Phalodi 47.8 degrees, and Jaisalmer 47.2 degrees.

The Met department issued a red warning for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and west Uttar Pradesh, emphasising a “very high likelihood” of heat illness and heatstroke in all ages.

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