Heatwave likely to reduce in next 2 to 3 days amid western disturbance, predicts IMD

New Delhi: After reeling under the severe heatwave with temperature breathing 50 degrees Celsius in North West India including Delhi, the weather office raised hope of some respite as the western disturbance is approaching, will bring thunderstorms with very light rain or drizzle.

“Heat wave conditions will reduce during the next 2-3 days due to gradual fall in temperature in association with approaching western disturbance, rainfall/thunderstorm and southwesterly wind blowing from Arabian Sea to northwest India” The India Meteorological Department said in press release.

In the last few days, the heatwave gripped the entire North-West Indian with maximum temperature soared over 50 degrees Celsius.

The weather agency however said the severe heatwave conditions accompanied by dry weather will continue in many parts of the country till June 1 adding that prevailing conditions will gradually reduce over Northwest & Central India in the next 2–3 days.

In the national capital, IMD shifted the heatwave warning from a ‘red alert’ to orange alert” for Thursday. It is forecast that temperatures will decrease by 2°C to 3°C.

“Partly cloudy sky. Heatwave conditions at a few places. Possibility of thunderstorm/dust storm with very light rain/drizzle accompanied with gusty winds (speed 25-35 kmph),” stated the regional meteorological centre, New Delhi, in its forecast for Thursday.

On Wednesday, the mercury soared to 52.9 degrees Celsius at Mungeshpur weather station, a reading the IMD said could be an outcome of faulty sensors.

“The maximum temperature over Delhi NCR varied from 45.2° to 49.1°C in different parts of the city, Mungeshpur reported 52.9°C as an outlier compared to other stations. It could be due to an error in the sensor or the local factor. IMD is examining the data and sensors” IMD said in a statement.

Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju informed that a temperature of over 52 degrees Celsius in Delhi is very unlikely.

Delhi’s primary weather station, Safdarjung observatory, on Wednesday recorded a maximum temperature of 46.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in 79 years.

On the other parts , the IMD said that heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely in isolated parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha on Thursday.

It further said that hot and humid weather is very likely to prevail over isolated parts of Konkan and Goa on May 30 and 31.