A woman and her child use scarves to protect themselves from the heat on a hot summer afternoon
Weather Update: The India Meteorological Department on Sunday said that parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are likely to experience severe heat wave conditions for the next two days, after which it is likely to subside.
Speaking about the rainfall conditions over the southern states, the weather man said that places along the west coast are likely to experience intense rainfall for the next 2 days.
The IMD further said that the northeastern parts of the country as well as parts of West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to receive heavy rains during the next five days.
On Saturday, Banda in UP was the hottest place in the country at 46.2 degree Celsius. According to the data released by the IMD, at least 22 towns and cities in these states recorded maximum temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius.
The scorching heat disturbed Delhi
Delhi’s base station Safdarjung Observatory on Sunday recorded a maximum temperature of 43.9 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, as warm and dry westerly winds swept across northwest India.
The Sports Complex Automated Weather Station near Akshardham Temple recorded a maximum temperature of 46.7 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest place in the city.
Najafgarh, Mungeshpur, Pitampura and Ridge stations recorded maximum temperatures at 46.4 °C, 46.2 °C, 45.8 °C and 45.8 °C, respectively.
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert in some parts of Delhi on Monday, giving a warning of heat wave.
Monsoon arrives in Maharashtra
Maharashtra recorded its first rain of the season on Saturday, after a delay of two days from its expected date of arrival. It said that the southwest monsoon has covered the central parts of the state and the Konkan region. The IMD said, ‘If the conditions remain favorable, then the monsoon system will further progress.’
Earlier, IMD senior scientist RK Jenamani said that the monsoon is likely to reach Uttar Pradesh between June 16 and June 22, the IMD said in an extended range forecast.
Meanwhile, the country has received 42 per cent less rainfall as the monsoon season began with northwest India recording a rainfall deficit of 94 per cent.
Assam was hit by a wave of floods last month. Heavy pre-monsoon rains and floods caused heavy damage to the state’s infrastructure, including bridges, roads and railway tracks.
The monsoon contributes about 70 per cent of the country’s annual rainfall and is considered the lifeline of its agrarian economy.
(with inputs from PTI)
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