In a much-needed respite, the heatwave conditions prevalent across several regions of India are expected to abate over the next three days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This comes as a relief after the country has been grappling with intense heat, with temperatures soaring as high as 49°C. Rajasthan bore the brunt of the heatwave, with Sri Ganganagar recording a maximum temperature of 48.3°C on Thursday. Numerous areas in Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, east Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha experienced maximum temperatures ranging from 45-48°C. Temperatures hovered around 42-45°C in parts of west Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Gujarat, Telangana, and Rayalaseema. Notably, these temperatures were 3-6°C above normal in northwest India and isolated regions of central and east India.
IMD predicts a gradual decline in maximum temperatures by 2-3°C over northwest and central India during the next three days, with no significant change predicted thereafter. Similarly, east India is expected to experience a drop in maximum temperatures by 3-4°C over the next three days, followed by no significant change. The weather department anticipates no significant change in maximum temperatures across the rest of the country.
As of Friday, 5:30 pm, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions continued to prevail over many parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Some areas of Madhya Pradesh and isolated pockets of Rajasthan also experienced these conditions. Several areas of Vidarbha, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam faced heatwave conditions. However, a significant decrease in maximum temperatures has led to a reduction in the intensity and distribution of heatwave conditions over Rajasthan, Punjab, east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
IMD has also forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall to persist over northeast India for the upcoming four days.
Regarding the onset of southwest monsoon over the Kerala coast, the weather department announced its advancement into the remaining parts of northeast Bay of Bengal, some parts of northwest Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam, and most parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. Typically, the monsoon onset date for states like Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam is June 5th. However, IMD anticipates further advancement of the monsoon into different parts of the south Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Bay of Bengal, and northeastern states in the coming days.
IMD declared the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala on Thursday, one day earlier than its usual date, attributing it to Cyclone Remal formed in the Bay of Bengal. The arrival of the southwest monsoon is crucial for India’s agricultural sector, which heavily relies on monsoon rainfall. Approximately 56% of the net cultivated area and 44% of food production depend on rainfall. Adequate rainfall contributes to robust crop production, controls food prices, particularly for vegetables, and stimulates growth. Notably, agriculture accounts for about 14% of India’s gross domestic product. June and July are critical months for agriculture, with most kharif crop sowing taking place during this period. Scientists are closely monitoring the current El Nino conditions, which tend to result in weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions. Conversely, the potential development of La Nina by August-September could bring abundant rainfall during the monsoon season.
