Indian Meteorological Department Declares Red Alert For Heat Wave In Delhi National Capital Region
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’ warning of severe heat conditions for Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) for the next few days.
The alert comes amidst some parts of Delhi recording the highest temperature of 46.8°C on Sunday.
The IMD said in a statement that heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are very likely in many areas of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi till May 22.
Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions likely in many pockets of Punjab,Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi & Rajasthan.Heatwave conditions likely in many/few/isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh,Uttarakhand,Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat,Saurashtra & Kutch on 22nd May, 2024 pic.twitter.com/IHBohKOXqm
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 19, 2024
Delhi and several other north Indian cities have been reeling under sweltering weather conditions for the past few days, which the meteorological office attributed due to dry and hot westerly winds, direct sunlight, and lack of moisture.
Incidentally, severe heatwave conditions are experienced when the last phases of the country’s general election are underway, with polling in Delhi and several other places slated for May 25.
The abnormally high temperatures are said to be one of the major reasons for lower voter turnouts in the already completed phases of the general election, which will elect members to the country’s Lower House – known as Lok Sabha.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pitted against the Congress-led alliance of opposition parties, named INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc, which many political observers described as ‘too close’ to call.
The IMD defines a heat wave as a day when the maximum temperature reaches 45°C or more.
The IMD bulletin also indicated that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over the plains of northwest India, including Delhi, during the next few days.
