An intense heat wave continues to sweep India, with temperatures soaring in the national capital with temperatures approaching 45 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert over a heatwave that remains active in northwest and central India.
While India experiences extreme heat every year during the months of April and May, this year the heat appears to be worse than before.
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It is normal for the temperature pattern in northwest and central India and parts of Pakistan to witness extreme heat due to high solar radiation, dry winds, and low soil moisture. But what remains worrying this year is the limited night-time cooling.
While sunset usually brings some relief, temperatures are still high this year, with the IMD reporting a minimum temperature of 31.9 degrees at Safdarjung station in Delhi.
What is the reason behind the heat wave in India?
One major factor is the development of El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. With an expected start between May and July, weather experts pointed to a decrease in humidity in the Indian subcontinent and the accumulation of heat before the monsoon.
In India, El Niño is associated with harsher summers and weaker monsoons. The first phase of IMD’s long-range forecast predicts below-normal season rainfall from June to September, representing 92% of the long-period average.
Another factor is the rise in core temperatures, which India has been experiencing since 1961. Added to this are local factors such as droughts, reduced cloud cover, and increased infrastructure, especially in cities.
In urban areas, residents experience the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon that makes cities warmer than rural areas.
This is caused by infrastructure – concrete roads, asphalt and brick buildings. Dense buildings and structures like these tend to absorb the sun’s heat and energy, and then release it at night, which is why India is experiencing warm nights these days.
Furthermore, climate change and global warming continue to affect the weather, and the country’s increasing pollution traps heat.
Meanwhile, in rural areas, forest fires and arid landscapes increase surface heating.
IMD warns of widespread heatwaves
The IMD has forecast widespread heatwaves across northwest and central India. Heatwave conditions are expected to prevail over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh and central Maharashtra on Monday and Tuesday; Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh until May 24, HT had earlier reported.
Mohapatra, Director General, Disaster Management Authority of India: “We do not expect any weather system to bring rain immediately. We can expect widespread and intense heatwaves over Uttar Pradesh. We can also expect scattered heatwaves in surrounding areas. People should be prepared and take necessary precautions.”
Orange alert remains active over large parts of northwest and central India.
