India on alert amid oppressive heatwave

Amid an ongoing spell of heatwave, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for five states of north-western India including Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.

Briefing the media this week, IMD Scientist R.K. Jenamani said some parts of the country recorded temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. "In view of this, we have announced an orange warning for Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha," he said.

Jenamani further informed that during the first week of May, there is a likeliness of witnessing western disturbances and increased chances of rain.

In an advisory, he said that under the influence of another fresh Western Disturbance likely to affect northwest India from May 2.
"Light/moderate isolated/scattered rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm/lightning is likely over the Western Himalayan Region during May 2-4," IMD said.

"Because of this, isolated light rainfall is likely over plains of northwest India during May 3 and 4," added Jenamani.
IMD said heatwave conditions over Northwest and Central India during the next five days and over East India during the next three days and abate thereafter.

It is widely seen as a warning sign of global warming as the temperatures hit record highs ahead of the peak summer months in the country.

(ANI)