Heatwave Warning! 4 Indian States on Red Alert as Temperature Hit 45 Degrees

The India Meteorological Department ( IMD ) has announced a red alert over the next two to three days for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha, as temperatures in these regions are expected to soar dramatically. Amid the scorching heat, authorities have launched health advisories and some states have even halted school sessions to protect residents from the extreme temperatures.

Issuing its latest forecast on Monday, the IMD predicted "intensely hot conditions" to persist in eastern India until Wednesday and continue to grip the southern peninsula for the next five days. An orange alert, indicating a slightly lesser degree of caution, is in place for parts of Telangana, Karnataka, and Sikkim due to similarly elevated temperatures.

The onset of heat was felt across various parts of India on Monday, particularly impacting West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar, Sikkim, Odisha, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. In a stark indication of the heatwave 's intensity, Kalaikunda and Kandala in Andhra Pradesh recorded a scorching 45.4 degrees Celsius—eight degrees above the usual temperature - while Nandyal endured highs of 45 degrees Celsius.

Additionally, Odisha's Baripada and Bihar's Sheikhpura were not far behind, recording temperatures of 44.8 and 44 degrees Celsius respectively, placing them among the highest in the country for the day.

The IMD cautioned that the regions under red alert could face severe heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke. The advisory extended to those in the orange alert areas as well, where prolonged exposure to the heat or engaging in strenuous activities could lead to health issues.

Looking ahead, the IMD forecasts suggest a humid spell for Assam, Tripura, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa, Kerala, and Karnataka within the next five days. This April has marked the second major heatwave of the month, with continued high temperatures in Odisha since April 15 and in Gangetic West Bengal since April 17.

The meteorological office also warned of an unusually high number of heatwave days this April, estimating between four and eight days as opposed to the typical one to three days. The period from April through June might see anywhere from ten to twenty heatwave days, significantly higher than the usual four to eight days.

Regions such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Marathwada, Bihar, and Jharkhand are anticipated to bear the brunt of these conditions, with some areas potentially facing more than twenty heatwave days.

The relentless heat is expected to challenge power grids and escalate water scarcity issues across affected parts of India, signaling a tough season ahead for millions of residents.