New Delhi [India]: After days of grueling heat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a gradual respite in heatwave conditions across Northwest India starting June 14.
Severe heatwave conditions gripped parts of West Rajasthan, where isolated areas reported extreme temperatures. The highest maximum temperature in the country was recorded in Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan) at a blistering 48.0°C.
Other regions affected by the heatwave include Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and isolated pockets of East Rajasthan, South Uttar Pradesh, and Northwest Madhya Pradesh.
According to the IMD forecast, no significant change in maximum temperatures is likely over Northwest and Central India for the next three days, followed by a gradual fall of 2–4°C.
In East India, temperatures will remain stable for 24 hours, with a subsequent 2–3°C drop expected over the following three days. Other parts of the country are unlikely to experience significant changes.
Radheshyam Sharma, an IMD official, noted that Western Rajasthan districts like Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner continue to face severe heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 47°C. This situation is expected to persist for another 3–4 days.
“Strong south-western winds carrying dust will dominate the region for the next two to three days. Thunderstorm activity is expected in Eastern Rajasthan from June 15-16, likely bringing some relief. A more noticeable temperature drop is expected around June 18-20 due to these thunderstorms,” Sharma said.
On Wednesday, temperatures across Rajasthan remained high: Sri Ganganagar (48.0°C), Bikaner (45.1°C), Barmer (44.2°C), Churu (45.8°C), Phalodi (45.8°C), Jaipur (44.4°C), and Kota (45.1°C).
The IMD had earlier issued an orange alert for Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh on June 10. A yellow warning was also sounded for Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli, and Dholpur, urging caution as heatwave conditions persisted.
Relief in the form of thunderstorms and cooler winds is now on the horizon, offering hope to millions sweltering under the intense summer sun.