IMD warns of heatwave conditions in these states

The Meteorological department on Monday predicted that heatwave conditions will prevail in several states, including Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Delhi NCR due to increased temperature.

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"States like Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, Haryana and North West India will see rise in temperature in coming days. However, due to Western disturbances, the temperature is expected to drop in the coming days. An orange alert has been issued regarding heatwave in many states, including West Bengal," Naresh Kumar, IMD official told ANI.

"In east India, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, the heat wave conditions are prevailing for four-five days," he added.

A heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, at least 37 degrees Celsius in coastal areas, and at least 30 degrees Celsius in hilly regions, and the departure from normal is at least 4.5 degrees Celsius.

West Bengal

In view of the ongoing heatwave conditions in West Bengal, all educational institutions in the state have been instructed to remain closed for a week starting from April 17th.

"All autonomous, state, central government aided and private universities and affiliated colleges in the state except in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts will remain closed for a week from April 17 due to the prevailing heatwave situation," read an official notice from the West Bengal government.

The weather department has released an orange alert for the state.

Odisha

Odisha is reeling under extreme heat, with the day temperature reaching 43.5 degrees Celsius.

"Baripada recorded 43.5°C, which is the highest temperature recorded in Odisha this month," Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at India Meteorological Department (IMD), told ANI.

With no significant signs of thunderstorms, it is likely that the maximum temperature in the city will rise over the next couple of days.

The IMD has sounded yellow alert for districts like Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar and Bhadrak districts.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is also witnessing severe heatwave conditions. On Sunday, 11 people died due to heat stroke after standing under the sun for hours during the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony attended by Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Eknath Shinde government has announced Rs 5 lakh exgratia to the kin of the deceased.

At least 10 Maharashtra districts have recorded maximum day temperatures upwards of 40 degrees Celsius in mid-April, with Chandrapur the hottest at 43.2 degrees.

Bihar

The IMD has predicted that Bihar is likely to witness severe heatwave conditions in the next three-four days.

"People are advised to avoid heat exposure, keep cool and avoid dehydration. Besides, district authorities have also been advised to monitor the situation in their respective districts. Situation is being closely monitored by the state Disaster Management department," Bihar Disaster Management minister Shahnawaz was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The mercury crossed the 42 degrees Celsius mark in at least five places in the state.

However, people in Delhi-NCR are may get relief as rain is likely on Monday.

with agency inputs