IMD: Heatwave returns with Delhi reaching 47°C; yellow alert issued
What's the story
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi experienced scorching summer heat on Saturday, with temperatures exceeding 47 °C in some parts of the city.
Mungeshpur in Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 47.1 °C, while Pitampura in Delhi recorded 46.5 °C, according to the Met Office.
On Sunday, the IMD issued a yellow alert, warning of a heatwave in isolated parts of Delhi.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Temperatures exceeding 40 °C are considered to be a heatwave when they are at least four notches above the norm.
A serious heatwave is declared when the temperature deviates from the normal by more than 6.4 °C.
This year, northwest and central India experienced their hottest April in 122 years, leading to an increase in power demands, causing coal shortages and power blackouts.
Heatwave
Heatwave conditions in northwest and central India: IMD
The IMD also predicted heat wave conditions in isolated pockets in northwest and central India amid a yellow alert in Delhi.
For weather warnings, the IMD employs four color codes: green (no action required), yellow (watch and be updated), orange (be prepared), and red (take action).
The temperatures may increase further because the IMD predicted mostly clear skies for the coming four-five days.
IMD
IMD's heatwave forecast over north and central India
According to the IMD, isolated areas in Rajasthan, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi will experience a heatwave on Saturday.
The weather service department said regions in Vidarbha, Jharkhand, interior Odisha, and Chhattisgarh will experience heatwave conditions till Monday.
From Sunday to Wednesday, southern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh will experience heatwave conditions.
Quote
Heatwave is back: Skymet
"Heatwave is back over parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, south Uttar Pradesh, and isolated pockets of Delhi-NCR," stated Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of private weather forecaster Skymet Weather Services' climate change and meteorology division.
Information
IMD predicts heavy rainfall in south and northeast India
According to the Met Office, rainfall activity in South Peninsular India is expected to increase beginning June 7. It forecasted heavy rain over Northeast India, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim over the next five days.
Monsoon
Rainfall activity to be below normal till June 8: IMD
According to the IMD's most recent Extended Range Forecast (ERF), after the emergence of the monsoon over Kerala (which has already occurred), progress over Karnataka, Goa, and the rest of northeastern India, where the monsoon's initial advance occurs, appears to be slow.
According to the ERF, rainfall activity will be normal to below normal until around Wednesday in these areas.