Extreme heat wreaks havoc in North India, Banda again among the hottest cities of the world

New Delhi: The entire North India is in the grip of extreme heat and heat wave these days. Banda in Uttar Pradesh remained among the hottest cities in the world for the fourth consecutive day, where the temperature was recorded at 48 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. A day before this, on Tuesday, the mercury had reached 48.2 degrees Celsius. The effect of extreme heat is visible from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan to the hilly states. Anticipating the situation to become more serious in the coming days, the Meteorological Department has issued an alert of heat wave and extreme heat for many states.

Yellow and orange alert of heat wave in many areas

The regional meteorological department has warned of severe heat wave at many places for the next one week. ‘Yellow alert’ has been issued for the next three days and after that orange alert has been issued. According to Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Skymet Weather, for the last few days, north-westerly winds have been coming towards Delhi from the Thar Desert of Rajasthan and parts of Central Pakistan. He told that while passing through dry areas, these winds become hotter and drier, due to which the night temperature is not falling. The ground is not getting enough time to release heat, due to which the nights remain continuously hot.

Crossing 45 degrees in many districts of Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, Central and Western UP are in the grip of severe heat. The temperature has reached above 45 degrees Celsius in more than a dozen districts. In many districts including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Chitrakoot, Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi and Fatehpur, strong sunlight and hot winds have increased the problems of people since morning. Red alert has been issued regarding heat wave in 11 districts for Thursday and Friday.

Record heat in Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan also

The maximum temperature recorded at Ridge Base Station in Delhi was 45.8 degrees Celsius. The mercury reached 46.9 degrees in Rohtak, Haryana, while the temperature was recorded at 46.6 degrees Celsius in Bathinda, Punjab. Sriganganagar of Rajasthan was the hottest area in the state with a temperature of 46.5 degrees Celsius.

Temperature increased in hilly states also

Along with the plains, the hill states are also affected by heat and heat waves. The maximum temperature was recorded at 44.6 degrees Celsius in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua, while the mercury reached 44 degrees in Himachal Pradesh’s Una. Shimla recorded the hottest day of the season with a temperature of 30.5 degrees Celsius. In many plain areas of Uttarakhand including Dehradun, the temperature crossed 40 degrees Celsius.

Effect of humidity and heat in Bengal and Odisha

The effect of heat is continuously increasing in Eastern India also. The minimum temperature recorded in Kolkata on Wednesday morning was 28.7 degrees Celsius, which was two degrees above normal. The temperature in Odisha’s industrial city Jharsuguda reached 46 degrees Celsius. At the same time, a temperature of 45.9 degrees Celsius was recorded in Ellapur in Jagtial district of Telangana.

This time Nautapa can break the record

From May 25, the Sun will enter Rohini Nakshatra and the first nine days will be called Nautapa. It is believed that the influence of the Sun is maximum during this time. This time, weather experts believe that Nautapa can create new heat records and further increase in temperature may be seen.

Heat stroke patients increasing in hospitals

The effect of extreme heat is clearly visible on health services also. Patients suffering from heat stroke, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and unconsciousness are increasing rapidly in government and private hospitals. Doctors have advised the elderly, children and already sick people to take special precautions. People have been instructed not to leave their homes from 12 noon to 4 pm.

Temperature of major cities

• Rohtak — 46.9°C

• Sriganganagar — 46.5°C

• Prayagraj — 46.4°C

• Delhi — 45.8°C

• Bathinda — 46°C

• Katra — 44.6°C