The slow pace of monsoon after its timely arrival in Kerala has led to mercury soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in northern, western and eastern regions of India. With no respite expected for the next four days, authorities have issued a heat wave warning in the affected areas.
According to the latest weather department forecasts, states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh and Jharkhand are expected to witness temperatures between 42 and 46 degrees Celsius over the next four days. While a slight respite is predicted from the 17th, a delay in the progress of monsoon in central India could prolong the period of intense heat.
The sluggish progress of monsoon has raised concerns, especially in regions like southern Maharashtra and Gujarat. If the monsoon does not pick up pace in the next 48 hours, its arrival in north India could be delayed by up to a week.
Amid the scorching heat, states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand have been put on red alert by the weather department, while Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Bengal are on yellow alert. The scorching heat has led to precautionary measures, including closure of schools in Jharkhand till June 15 and adjusting school timings in West Bengal.
In contrast to the heat in the north, heavy rains have hit southern, western, central and northeastern states. The weather department has forecast torrential rains in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and northeastern states for the next four to five days. Tragically, two persons lost their lives in Maharashtra due to landslides triggered by heavy rains, highlighting the contrasting extreme weather conditions in different parts of the country.
