BackNorth Indian heat wave continues, cyclone alert in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh
IMD records 50.5C in the region as seven states along with Delhi and Chandigarh continue to be in the grip of heat wave conditions
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New Delhi: Soaring mercury crossed the 50°C mark on Thursday—the highest temperature recorded in India this summer—in Phalodi, Rajasthan. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 50.5°C in the region as seven states along with Delhi and Chandigarh continue to be in the grip of heat wave conditions.
The states facing heat wave are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. West Rajasthan and Gujarat are facing severe heat wave conditions.
“Heat waves hit north India only in the last two days and these conditions are likely to continue for this week. People should not go out between 11am and 4pm. If it is necessary to go out then it is advised that people keep their heads covered, wear loose clothes and avoid hectic activity," said Anand Kumar Sharma, senior scientist at IMD in New Delhi.
Several places in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan , Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar recorded temperatures above 45°C on Thursday. In the capital city of Delhi, weather stations recorded temperatures between 43°C and 45°C, according to IMD data.
Such temperatures are likely to prevail in Delhi until Sunday after which rain and thundershowers may bring slight relief from the heat, according to IMD forecast.
Meanwhile, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are on alert as the deep depression in Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Roanu on Thursday. The system is expected to move northeastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during the next 24 hours and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm with wind gusting to a speed of 120 km per hour (kmph).
“The system is likely to move north-northeastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 24 hours and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm. Subsequently, the system is likely to move northeastwards along off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha during next 48 hours," said a bulletin from the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre on Thursday.
Wind speed reaching 110 kmph is very likely to prevail along and off North Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next 12 hours, reaching 120 kmph in the next 36 hours. Wind speed is likely to touch 80 kmph over south Odisha coast from Thursday.
IMD has warned of damage to thatched huts, minor damage to power and communication lines and roads over coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha during the next 48 hours.
“The cyclone is currently centred 590 km from Gopalpur, models indicate that the cyclone will not make landfall but will move along the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, bringing heavy rainfall. Warnings have been issued to all ports and fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea," said a senior IMD official in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
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