- Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Delhi see heatwave-related deaths.
- A scorching heat wave ravages central, eastern, and northern India, claiming at least 54 lives.
- Maximum temperatures at 45-48°C in several places, including Delhi.
- The IMD forecasts very light to light rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over the plains of Northwest India between May 31 and June 2.
- Monsoon, meanwhile, will advance into more parts of southern, northeastern states.
A scorching heat wave ravages central, eastern, and northern India, claiming at least 54 lives as temperatures soar above 45 degrees Celsius in several regions, including the capital, Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of an impending dust storm over Uttar Pradesh between May 31 and June 1, with Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi likely to be affected today.
Thursday saw Delhi sweltering under a blistering 45.6 degrees Celsius, a staggering 5.2 degrees above the norm, following a record-breaking high of 46.8 degrees Celsius the previous day, marking a 79-year high according to IMD data. Tragically, Bihar witnessed 32 heat stroke fatalities, with Aurangabad bearing the brunt with 17 deaths, followed by Odisha with 10 casualties in Rourkela, and additional deaths reported in Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
The grim toll includes a 40-year-old man from Bihar’s Darbhanga, who succumbed to heatstroke in Delhi, his body temperature skyrocketing to 108 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly 10 degrees above the norm, resulting in multiple organ failure.
With temperatures ranging between 45-48 degrees Celsius in various parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and other states, the IMD warns of severe heatwave conditions in isolated pockets across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha on May 31 and June 1.
Even as the scorching heat persists, hope arises with the IMD predicting the further advance of the Southwest Monsoon into more southern states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Northeast India, offering potential relief from the oppressive heat. Additionally, a western disturbance, manifested as a cyclonic circulation over Jammu, is expected to bring scattered rainfall and thunderstorms to several northern regions from May 31 to June 2.
Despite this glimmer of hope, the toll of the heatwave underscores the urgent need for precautions and relief measures, as authorities brace for the impact of the looming dust storm and continue to monitor the situation closely.
Moreover, the IMD forecasts very light to light rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over the plains of Northwest India between May 31 and June 2, hinting at a potential respite from the relentless heat. However, caution remains paramount, as heatwave to severe heatwave conditions persist in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Furthermore, warm nights are predicted in several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Bihar, and Odisha on May 31 and June 1, exacerbating the discomfort caused by the scorching daytime temperatures.
As the nation grapples with the deadly consequences of the heatwave, authorities are urged to intensify efforts to mitigate its impact, including providing shelter, hydration, and medical assistance to vulnerable populations. Additionally, public awareness campaigns emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and taking necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses are imperative to safeguarding lives during this extreme weather event.
(With inputs from agencies)
