Heatwave warnings in several Indian states as the temperature nears 45°C

Several states in India are under an orange alert as the temperature is dangerously high and strong surface winds are blowing from the northern parts of the country.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India, has issued an orange alert and heatwave warning for West Bengal, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh due to rising temperatures and heatwave conditions. The weather department has also said that heatwave conditions are likely to take place in Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. Punjab and Haryana had heatwave-like temperatures on Monday and Tuesday.

The IMD also issued an orange alert for several northern districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Darjeeling and Kalimpong for heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, and strong surface winds.

Delhi is expected to receive little rain, which can bring down the maximum temperature by a few degrees. The agency has also noted that there is also a possibility of heavy rainfall in isolated places in Himachal Pradesh.

A heatwave warning has also been issued in the East Champaran, Khagaria, Banka and Patna districts of Bihar. West Bengal will experience hot weather on Wednesday. In recent days, several parts of West Bengal witnessed temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius.

Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, said, “I have never seen such a heat wave in April.” She advised people to remain indoors till 4 pm.

The Meteorological Office also warned that hot weather would continue in Kolkata and adjoining areas. Birbhum,  Paschim Bardhaman, Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram districts of West Bengal will also continue to experience heatwave conditions.

Guntar, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh will also continue to experience heatwave conditions. The meteorological department said that Andhra Pradesh can witness thunderstorms on April 21 and 22. Kerala has also experienced high temperatures in recent days. Palakkad district recorded the highest temperature of 39.7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.