The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that heat wave conditions are expected to affect several regions across India over the next five days.
These areas include parts of Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Konkan, Saurashtra and Kutch, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, and Telangana. Specifically, isolated pockets of Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal will face heat waves from April 16-20; north Konkan, Saurashtra, and Kutch are expected to experience similar conditions from Tuesday to Wednesday; coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from Wednesday to Thursday; and Telangana from Tuesday to Thursday.
Additionally, hot and humid weather will likely persist in Gangetic West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, and Rayalaseema from Tuesday to Saturday. Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, and Mahe will experience this from Tuesday to Wednesday, and the coastal areas of Gujarat from Tuesday to Thursday. The regions of Konkan and Goa are also expected to have warm weather from Thursday to Saturday. Warm nights are anticipated in Madhya Maharashtra from Tuesday to Thursday, and in Odisha from Wednesday to Saturday.
During the early part of April, the first spell of the heat wave affected areas in east and peninsular India including Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, North Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema, and Telangana. A heat wave is classified when air temperatures reach dangerously high levels that can be fatal to humans, characterized by maximum temperatures of at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains and 30 degrees Celsius in hilly regions.
The IMD advises the public to take precautions to avoid heat exposure such as wearing light, loose-fitting cotton clothes, using head coverings like hats or umbrellas, and staying hydrated to mitigate the effects of the heat.