IMD warns of heatwave in parts of North India
Heads up, North India: IMD has issued a heatwave alert for Himachal Pradesh, West Rajasthan, and Gujarat from March 7-10.
Linked to prevailing clear skies and a lack of strong western disturbances (reducing early-March precipitation chances), daytime temperatures are spiking well above normal.
Srinagar just hit 24.7 Celsius (that's 11.7 Celsius over the usual), Jammu reached 32.4 Celsius, and even Pahalgam (usually chilly) saw a jump to 20.8 Celsius.
What is a heatwave?
A yellow alert is active in Himachal's Kullu, Mandi, and Solan districts until Saturday (March 7), with the heat spreading into Rajasthan, Maharashtra's Konkan region, and Gujarat's Kutch area too.
IMD says a heatwave is declared when maximum temperatures exceed 40 Celsius in the plains (37 Celsius along coasts and 30 Celsius in the hills), so if you're in these areas this week, stay cool and hydrated!