Respite from Heatwave as IMD Issues 'Orange Alert' for Rainfall in 6 States

The scorching heatwave that gripped India has finally come to an end, bringing relief to the sweltering heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that temperatures would decrease across the country, accompanied by cloudy skies. In a significant development, an orange alert has been issued for hailstorms, storms, and rainfall in six northern states of India. Additionally, the IMD predicts heavy rains in hilly regions over the next two to three days.

Speaking to news agency ANI, RK Jenamani, a scientist at the IMD, said,"Heatwave has ended in the entire India today. From today, the temperature will decrease and it will be cloudy. We have issued an Orange Alert for hailstorms, storms, and rain in Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Chandigarh. There is a possibility of heavy rains in the hilly areas for the next 2-3 days. There are chances of storms in East India as well."

Furthermore, the IMD has forecasted thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall in certain districts of Odisha within the next 24 hours. HR Biswas, Director of IMD Bhubaneswar, said,"Thunderstorm activity with rainfall might continue for the next 24 hours in some districts. Thunderstorm activity might slightly increase on 27 May due to a slight reduction in temperature."

Over the past few days, the national capital and its surrounding regions have been enduring scorching temperatures, with the mercury surpassing 46 degrees Celsius in certain parts of the city on Monday. However, the IMD had earlier indicated that the heatwave conditions would persist until the arrival of rainfall.

On Monday, the Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, registered a maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal and the highest recorded this year. Najafgarh experienced even more extreme heat, reaching a scorching 46.2 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest place in the capital. Narela, Pitampura, and Pusa also faced heatwave conditions with temperatures reaching 45.3 to 45.8 degrees Celsius.

A heatwave is defined as the maximum temperature reaching at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees Celsius in coastal areas, and 30 degrees Celsius in hilly regions, with a departure from the normal temperature of at least 4.5 degrees Celsius.