Severe heatwave grips parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat; mercury soars above 45 degrees Celsius

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Severe heatwave conditions were observed in some parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

According to the ANI, the IMD said that Barmer in Rajasthan experienced a scorching high of 46.9 degrees Celsius. Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh also recorded a searing 46.9 degrees Celsius.

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Surendranagar and Deesa in Gujarat also recorded temperatures ranging between 45 and 45.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

"Today, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions were observed in some parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. Heatwave conditions in many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi; in isolated pockets of Madhya Pradesh," IMD said in a post on X, as per the ANI.

IMD had on Saturday forecast a heatwave and severe heatwave conditions across vast swathes of North India, including several parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, between May 17 and 21.

While a red alert for severe heatwaves was issued for west Rajasthan, an orange alert was also issued for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Gujarat.

IMD issues 'red alert' for Delhi; temperature likely to touch 44 degrees

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert in Delhi informing that the temperatures can range between 28 to 44 degrees Celsius, reported the ANI.

According to the ANI, senior IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said that the current situation will prevail for the next week.

"Generally, May is considered the hottest month. If there is no rainfall activity in North India, then the temperature normally crosses 45 degrees Celsius. It is forecast that this situation will prevail for the next week. This scenario will continue for the next 5 days in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. We have issued a red alert. A heatwave situation will exist in UP for the next 3-4 days. Heatwaves will also prevail in North MP. We have issued an orange alert for the region," he said, as per the ANI.

Southwest monsoon makes onset over Nicobar Islands: IMD

The Southwest monsoon, the lifeline of India's farm-based economy, on Sunday made its onset over the Nicobar Islands, the southernmost region of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, according to the PTI.

"Southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of the Maldives, and the Comorin area and some parts of the South Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and South Andaman Sea on Sunday," the weather office said, the news agency reported.

The annual rainfall phenomenon is expected to reach Kerala by May 31.

The date of monsoon onset over Kerala has varied widely over the last 150 years, the earliest being May 11 in 1918, and the most delayed being June 18 in 1972, according to IMD data.

The rain-bearing system arrived in the southern state on June 8 last year, May 29 in 2022, June 3 in 2021 and June 1 in 2020.

(with PTI inputs)