Heat wave alert in many States, IMD predicts rise in temp in next 5 days

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), the country's central weather forecasting agency, predicted a rise in maximum temperatures by 2-4°C over many parts of the country during next 5 days.

The weather agency also said that the heat wave conditions likely over Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha.

"Heatwave conditions (are) likely over Gangetic West Bengal from today and over Odisha from tomorrow," the department said in its daily weather bulletin.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that maximum temperatures are in the range of 40-42°C over some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, interior Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana and less than 40°C over rest parts of the country. They are above normal by 2-3°C over some/many parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast & adjoining East India and Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and near normal over rest parts of the country.

In Northwest & East India, maximum temperatures are very likely to rise gradually by 2-4°C during next 3 days and no significant change thereafter.

Additionally, in Central India, maximum temperatures are very likely to rise gradually by 2-4°C during next 5 days. In Maharashtra, No significant change in temperatures during next 3 days and rise gradually by 2-4°C thereafter.

Furthermore, the IMD has also stated that heat wave conditions very likely in isolated pockets over Gangetic West Bengal during 12th-16th and over Odisha during 13th-15th April, 2023.

Speaking on weather changes in Odisha, IMD-Bhubaneswar's Director HR Biswas said temperature rose in the last 24 hours, with the mercury touching 40 and above degrees at a few stations in the state. In the next two days, the temperature may further rise by 2-3 degrees at many places, he said. "So, there are chances of heatwave conditions. Heatwave warning for tomorrow (Thursday) in Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore," news agency ANI quoted Biswas as saying.

Meanwhile, Light to moderate isolated rainfall with thunderstorm/lightning are also likely over Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada during next 5 days.

Isolated hailstorm very likely over Madhya Maharashtra during 12th-14th; over Konkan on 13th and over Marathawada on 14th April, 2023.