(Image source from: PTI)
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a heatwave is expected to persist in east and south peninsular India for the next five days. The scorching heat has even affected areas that are not typically associated with such weather, including parts of Kerala, Ooty, Matheran, and Bengaluru. Unprecedented high temperatures have been recorded in these regions, with Alappuzha and Matheran reaching 38°C and 39°C respectively. In Bengaluru, two weather stations reported the third and fourth highest temperatures ever recorded in April, reaching 38.5°C and 37.6°C. Aminidivi in Lakshadweep recorded the tenth highest temperature ever for this month at 36.6°C. Arogyavaram in Andhra Pradesh reached 41.0°C, the second highest ever recorded. Canning in West Bengal experienced the highest temperature this month at 42.4°C, which is the second highest temperature recorded. Cuttack in Odisha reported the fifth highest temperature for this month at 43.7°C. Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu reached 41.2°C, the second highest ever recorded. Diamond Harbour in West Bengal recorded the sixth highest temperature ever at 41.3°C. Kottayam also experienced a temperature of 38.5°C, the second highest ever recorded.
Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh experienced a scorching temperature of 45.2 °C, the third highest ever recorded. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the intense heatwave in eastern and southern parts of India will persist for the next five days, coinciding with the upcoming elections in these regions. The areas affected include Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, parts of Jharkhand, Rayalaseema, interior Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, where "heatwave or severe heatwave conditions" are expected. Analysis reveals that 186 out of the 191 constituencies scheduled for the next two phases of the elections will experience temperatures above 35°C during this period. Additionally, 136 constituencies are projected to have temperatures above 40°C, which may discourage voter turnout, as observed in the previous phases. Unfortunately, any respite from the heat is unlikely before May 1st, although there may be some thunderstorm activity thereafter. IMD director general M Mohapatra noted that the heatwave in eastern India has been unusually prolonged, as April typically only sees one to three days of heatwave conditions.
Nandyal, located in Andhra Pradesh, experienced scorching temperatures on Sunday, reaching a high of 45.6°C or 4.6 degrees above the usual. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that certain areas along the east coast and the southern peninsula will face a heat index of 40-50 degrees C. In fact, some regions may even witness temperatures as high as 60°C, as indicated by the IMD's heat index forecasts. The heat index takes into account both the air temperature and the relative humidity.
