Record-Breaking Heatwave Sweeps Across India: Temperatures Soar to Unprecedented Levels
Desk Report, April 21, 2024: Today, temperatures soared way higher than usual in some places. Baripada and Boudh in Odisha hit a scorching 45.2 degrees Celsius. In West Bengal, Midnapore and Bankura felt the heat at 44.5 and 44.6 degrees Celsius. Daltonganj and Jamshedpur in Jharkhand weren’t far behind, recording 43.6 and 43.5 degrees Celsius. Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh also sizzled at 43 degrees Celsius.
A heatwave strikes when temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius in flat areas, 37 degrees on the coast, and 30 degrees in hills, with a departure from normal of at least 4.5 notches. If the departure exceeds 6.4 notches, it’s declared a severe heatwave.
On April 21, India faced a blistering heatwave, with temperatures ranging from 40 to 46 degrees Celsius in many regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported severe heatwave conditions in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and parts of West Bengal.
This is the second heatwave this month, with the first affecting Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. The Met Office predicts four to eight heatwave days in April, compared to the usual one to three days. For April to June, 10 to 20 heatwave days are expected, up from the typical four to eight days.
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and other areas are likely to see more heatwave days, with some places possibly enduring over 20 days of intense heat. The heat could strain power grids and lead to water shortages in parts of India.
Global weather agencies, including the IMD, anticipate La Nina conditions later this year. Unlike El Nino, which brings weaker monsoon winds and dry conditions to India, La Nina usually means abundant rainfall during the monsoon season.
The IMD predicts above-normal rainfall in the 2024 monsoon season, with La Nina expected to dominate by August-September. The monsoon is crucial for India’s agriculture, with 52% of cultivated land depending on it. Additionally, it replenishes reservoirs, vital for drinking water and power generation across the country.
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