The sweltering heat gripping northern states is unlikely to relent soon, as the IMD on Tuesday said prevailing heatwave conditions over Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh will remain unchanged over the next three days. Heatwave conditions have also been forecast for the national capital between April 22 and 24 and in parts of Rajasthan from Thursday onwards.
In Uttar Pradesh, Banda recorded the highest temperature at a scorching 44.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, as most parts of the state reeled under intense heat with dry weather conditions prevailing, the meteorological department said.
Several other places also reported high temperatures, with Sultanpur at 43.4 degrees Celsius, Prayagraj at 43.2 degrees Celsius, and Jhansi and Hardoi touching 42.5 degrees Celsius each. The state capital Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal.
According to the forecast for Wednesday, dry weather — making conditions feel hotter and more dehydrating — is expected to continue across Uttar Pradesh, with clear skies over Lucknow and adjoining areas.
While the national capital is yet to witness heatwave conditions this season, the city’s maximum temperature settled at 38.8 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwave conditions in the city from Wednesday till April 24, with the maximum temperature likely to touch 42 degrees Celsius and the minimum hovering around 22 degrees Celsius.
In view of these conditions, Delhi government schools, aided schools, and private unaided recognised schools have been directed to introduce a "water bell" system and a buddy system for students as part of fresh precautionary measures.
Under the water bell initiative, schools have been asked to ring a bell every 45 to 60 minutes to remind students to drink water and prevent dehydration, it stated.
As per the circular, schools have also been directed to create a buddy system under which each student will be paired with another during school hours to monitor each other's physical well-being. It further said outdoor assemblies should either be curtailed or shifted to shaded or indoor areas with minimum duration, while no open-air classes should be conducted.
Hot weather conditions prevailed in Haryana and Punjab as well, with intense heat prevailing in Bhiwani and Bathinda.
In Haryana, the maximum temperature in Bhiwani was 42.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Met department here.
Hisar recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius, Karnal 39.5 degrees Celsius, Rohtak 40.3 degrees Celsius, Gurugram 41 degrees Celsius, Ambala 38.8 degrees Celsius, and Sirsa 41 degrees Celsius.
Neighbouring Punjab also witnessed above-normal temperatures.
Bathinda and Faridkot recorded identical maximum temperatures of 41.6 degrees Celsius each.
Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, also braved the heat as the maximum temperature settled at 38 degrees Celsius.
Rajasthan reeled under intense heat conditions with above-normal maximum temperatures recorded at several places, officials said.
The weather department has cautioned of heatwave conditions in parts of the state from Thursday onwards.
The highest maximum temperature was recorded at 42 degrees Celsius in Kota. Maximum temperatures in cities including Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner were above normal, the department said.
The weather office has issued an alert for heatwave conditions in several districts, including Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu, Bharatpur, and Dholpur, from April 23.
In Himachal Pradesh, dry weather prevailed since Monday evening, while the Shimla weather office predicted a wet spell in the state from April 24 to 27.
It has also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in four districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi on April 25.
Meanwhile, amid unseasonal snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, hundreds of Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes have begun their centuries-old biannual migration to the highland pastures of Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab Valley, braving harsh conditions.
The nomads and their livestock embarked on their traditional routes last week, signalling the start of the seasonal transhumance. The movement comes notwithstanding fresh, and rather unusual, snowfall in several higher-altitude areas, which has made the passage particularly risky.
Follow us
