Heatwave grips north India: When will intense heat conditions end?
A brutal stretch of summer is pushing temperatures into dangerous territory across India, but weather models are hinting at a major shift ahead.
As summer hits its peak, large swathes of northern and central India are battling a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring dangerously high, making people seek any sort of respite from the rising heat.
On Wednesday, May 20, the temperatures touched extreme levels, ramping up the heatwave conditions and consequences for millions.
A BURNING NATION
The country witnessed one of its hottest days this season on May 20.
Banda in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature in India at 48°C, a 4.5°C departure from what is considered normal around this time of the year.
The extreme heat Banda endured made it one of the hottest spots globally.
Several other places also crossed the 45°C mark, including weather stations in Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Weather maps showed several areas above 44°C, covering nearly half the country, mainly across northern and central regions.
Furthermore, hot, dry winds, often called "loo", continued to blow, making the air feel like an oven.
In Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas, afternoon temperatures stayed brutally high well into the evening, with many places reporting 44-46°C.
And no, it wasn't just hot due to the Sun. High temperatures continued through the night, with Delhi recording temperatures of 36°C-40°C throughout the night, according to temperature data from AQI.in.
Consequently, authorities have been urging everyone to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours, drink plenty of water, and avoid direct sun exposure, to prevent cases of heat-strokes and heat exhaustion and prevent citizens from harmful UV radiation.
HOW IS THE WEATHER ON THURSDAY?
The intense heat is showing no signs of letting up today, on May 21.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and private weather experts forecast similar or slightly varying extreme temperatures across the same regions.
Many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi are likely to see maximums between 44°C and 48°C again. Hot and dry conditions will dominate, with strong loo winds persisting.
Minimum temperatures at night are also expected to stay high, offering little cooling relief.
As the summer onslaught continues on Indians residing in Northern India, the question on everyone's mind is an obvious one. What are we going to find a break from these rising temperatures?
WHEN WILL HEATWAVES END?
According to meteorologists and current forecasts, there are no major signs of relief until the end of May.
But there are signs of hope.
The southwest monsoon is set to bring much-needed relief soon. The IMD has forecast the onset of monsoon over Kerala around May 26, give or take 4 days. The arrival is expected to be earlier than the usual June 1 date.
While the cold monsoon showers will first drench southern India, the monsoon’s northward march could gradually ease temperatures in central and northern regions by late June, offering a welcome break from the scorching heat.
But until then, similar hot and dry conditions are expected to continue for the coming days, keeping large parts of North and Central India under the heatwave spell.
As summer hits its peak, large swathes of northern and central India are battling a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring dangerously high, making people seek any sort of respite from the rising heat.
On Wednesday, May 20, the temperatures touched extreme levels, ramping up the heatwave conditions and consequences for millions.
A BURNING NATION
The country witnessed one of its hottest days this season on May 20.
Banda in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature in India at 48°C, a 4.5°C departure from what is considered normal around this time of the year.
The extreme heat Banda endured made it one of the hottest spots globally.
Several other places also crossed the 45°C mark, including weather stations in Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Weather maps showed several areas above 44°C, covering nearly half the country, mainly across northern and central regions.
Furthermore, hot, dry winds, often called "loo", continued to blow, making the air feel like an oven.
In Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas, afternoon temperatures stayed brutally high well into the evening, with many places reporting 44-46°C.
And no, it wasn't just hot due to the Sun. High temperatures continued through the night, with Delhi recording temperatures of 36°C-40°C throughout the night, according to temperature data from AQI.in.
Consequently, authorities have been urging everyone to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours, drink plenty of water, and avoid direct sun exposure, to prevent cases of heat-strokes and heat exhaustion and prevent citizens from harmful UV radiation.
HOW IS THE WEATHER ON THURSDAY?
The intense heat is showing no signs of letting up today, on May 21.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and private weather experts forecast similar or slightly varying extreme temperatures across the same regions.
Many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi are likely to see maximums between 44°C and 48°C again. Hot and dry conditions will dominate, with strong loo winds persisting.
Minimum temperatures at night are also expected to stay high, offering little cooling relief.
As the summer onslaught continues on Indians residing in Northern India, the question on everyone's mind is an obvious one. What are we going to find a break from these rising temperatures?
WHEN WILL HEATWAVES END?
According to meteorologists and current forecasts, there are no major signs of relief until the end of May.
But there are signs of hope.
The southwest monsoon is set to bring much-needed relief soon. The IMD has forecast the onset of monsoon over Kerala around May 26, give or take 4 days. The arrival is expected to be earlier than the usual June 1 date.
While the cold monsoon showers will first drench southern India, the monsoon’s northward march could gradually ease temperatures in central and northern regions by late June, offering a welcome break from the scorching heat.
But until then, similar hot and dry conditions are expected to continue for the coming days, keeping large parts of North and Central India under the heatwave spell.
