Severe heatwave sweeps across India, prompting warnings and closures
What's the story
India is grappling with an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching a scorching 45°C on Monday.
The extreme heat and humidity are straining power grids and have led to health warnings from government agencies.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for potential severe heatwaves over the next two to three days in areas including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha.
Weather forecast
IMD forecasts prolonged heatwave, issues alerts
The IMD predicts the southern peninsula and eastern India will continue to experience scorching weather for the next five days and until May 1, respectively.
An orange alert has also beem issued for Telangana, Karnataka, and Sikkim.
On Monday, temperatures in Kalaikunda and Kandala soared to 45.4 degrees Celsius, a staggering 8.6 degrees above average.
School closures
Schools shut down in Jharkhand amidst heatwave
In response to the extreme heat, schools in Jharkhand have been closed indefinitely.
The IMD reports that regions of West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar, Sikkim, Odisha, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh are currently experiencing heatwave to severe heatwave conditions.
A heatwave is defined as a high temperature of at least 40 degrees Celsius in plains areas, 37 degrees Celsius in coastal regions and 30 degrees Celsius in hilly areas with a deviation from normal of at least 4.5 notches.
Health risks
IMD issues health warnings amidst heatwave
The IMD has warned that residents in red alert zones could be at risk of heat-related illnesses and heatstroke, advising extreme caution.
In orange-alert regions, there's a risk of heat illness for those exposed to prolonged sun exposure or engaging in strenuous work.
The Met office also notes that high humidity could exacerbate discomfort in Assam, Tripura, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa, Kerala, and Karnataka over the next five days.
Persistent heat
Second heatwave; warm nights expected
This current wave is the second heatwave in 30 days with conditions persisting in Odisha since April 15 and Gangetic West Bengal since April 17.
The IMD also warns of warm night conditions in east UP and Karnataka over the next five days—which can be dangerous as the body won't get a chance to cool down.
The weather office predicts four to eight days of heatwaves are expected across parts of the country against a typical one to three days.