Heatwaves alert for several states

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday forecast heatwave conditions in several states across the country during the first week of May.

Above normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in May and a significantly high number of heat wave days expected over the northern plains, central region, and adjoining areas of peninsular India, said IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Wednesday.

Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over south Peninsular India till May 3 and east India till May 2, and gradually improve thereafter, the IMD chief said.

Heatwave conditions are also likely over Maharashtra and Gujarat during the next 5 days and over Central India during May 3-5, it further stated.

The IMD has forecast that maximum temperatures in the range of 44-47 degrees Celsius are likely to continue in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Rayalaseema till May 3, and decrease thereafter.

Heatwave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in isolated pockets in Rayalaseema in the next 3 days and heat wave conditions during the subsequent two days, it added.

Heatwave conditions are also very likely in isolated pockets in Telangana, interior Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam in the next 4-5 days; in Kerala on May 1 and May 2, and in Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours.

On the other hand, heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds are very likely to continue in northeast India in the next 24 hours, the forecast added.

The IMD also said that rainfall activity is likely over south peninsular India with isolated to scattered, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in most parts of south India during May 5-8.