Intense heat wave to continue, temperature likely to rise by 2-3°C: IMD.

• According to scientists, intense heat waves are becomingly increasingly frequent due to effects of climate change globally

• The maximum temperatures were significantly above normal, by 3.1 to 5.0 °C over most parts of north-western India

Searing heatwave conditions are likely to continue over most parts of north-western India, as maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 2-3°C over the next few days, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD), here on Wednesday.

The government’s weather department declares a heat wave when the maximum temperatures reach the threshold value of 40º C in the plains and 30º C in the hilly areas, typically between March and June.

In its latest forecast, IMD said that heat-wave conditions are very likely to continue over Vidarbha, in some parts over Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and at isolated pockets over Central Maharashtra, Marathwada, Telangana, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha during the next three days.

°C over most parts of north-western India. “The day temperatures would hover around 45°C over the next few days. Hot winds (loo) would sweep across most parts of the northern India, including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh," said Kuldeep Srivastava, Head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC), New Delhi.

According to scientists, higher daily peak temperatures and more intense heat waves are becomingly increasingly frequent due to effects of climate change globally. India, too is feeling the impact, however, the number of casualties due to heat waves in India have reduced over the years.

While a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect Western Himalayan Region from May 31, weather scientists said there is no evident probability of rain showers over northern states over the next few days.

“Rainfall is unlikely as of now. Dust raising winds are expected to prevail over south Haryana, Rajasthan and southwest Uttar Pradesh during next 3-4 days," said Shrivastava.

However, north-eastern states, including Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagland, Manipur would continue to receive widespread rain.

Meanwhile, the south-west monsoon which is expected to make its onset over the Kerala coast on June 6 remains sluggish over the Andaman Sea. According to the government’s weather department, conditions are likely to become favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of South Bay of Bengal, Andaman Islands and north Andaman Sea during next 72 hours.(Source: Livemint)