India’s Unprecedented Heatwave Continues, Intensifying in May
India is enduring a relentless heatwave, with temperatures remaining well above 44 degrees Celsius in at least 13 locations. The heatwave has primarily affected eastern India and southern peninsular regions, with Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu experiencing intensely hot conditions on Friday. Maximum temperatures ranged between 43-46 degrees Celsius in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, and 40-43 degrees in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Marathwada, north interior Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
The IMD has predicted that the ongoing heatwave will persist until May 5-6 before abating in eastern India and the southern peninsula. However, the northern plains, central region, and adjoining areas of peninsular India are expected to witness a significant increase in heatwave days over the coming period. The IMD anticipates eight to 11 heatwave days in May across south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Gujarat. Other regions, including the remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka, and Telangana, are likely to experience five to seven heatwave days during the month.
India has already witnessed two heat waves in April, with the number of heatwave days during this period being the highest in 15 years in Gangetic West Bengal and nine years in Odisha. Odisha also experienced its longest heatwave spell (16 days) in April since 2016.
On May 3, the hottest cities in India included Nandyal (Rayalaseema) with 46.3 degrees Celsius, Rentachintala (Andhra Pradesh) with 45.2 degrees Celsius, Khammam (Telangana) with 45 degrees Celsius, Kalaikunda (West Bengal) with 44.6 degrees Celsius, Boudh (Odisha) with 44.6 degrees Celsius, and Erode (Tamil Nadu) with 43.4 degrees Celsius.
