The scorching summer heat continues to grip large swaths of North India, with temperatures soaring well above 45 degrees Celsius in several states. Meanwhile, torrential rains in Kerala have claimed at least four lives and triggered widespread flooding.
According to official data, the mercury breached the 48-degree Celsius mark in Rajasthan’s Barmer on Wednesday, making it the hottest place in the country this season.
At least 24 locations across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh recorded maximum temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius or higher.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a further rise of 3-4 degrees Celsius in northwest India over the next few days, exacerbating the heatwave conditions.
A red alert has been issued for several parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh, indicating a “very high likelihood” of heat-related illnesses and heatstroke.
On the other hand, heavy rains have battered Kerala, leading the IMD to sound a red alert in five districts – Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki. The downpour has already claimed four lives across the state, and parts of the Cochin city corporation in Ernakulam were inundated.
The adverse weather has also disrupted air travel, affecting several flights to and from Kerala. Five Air India Express arrival flights from the Middle East have been diverted, while one flight to Doha has been canceled. Flights to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Dubai have also been delayed due to the heavy rainfall.
Elsewhere, a low-pressure area has formed in the Bay of Bengal, and under its influence, northern Odisha districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall this weekend. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea on May 23 and 24 as the sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough.
The scorching heat has also fueled a massive forest fire in the Tanda area of Jammu’s Poonch district, raising concerns about the local population’s safety. The Met department has predicted that the temperature in Jammu could reach as high as 44 degrees Celsius by the weekend.
