India heatwave 2022: Why is it so hot in most parts of India? Delhi temperature likely to rise to 46°C, Orange alert in Rajasthan, MP, Vidarbha region

India Heatwave 2022: The intense heatwave is expected to continue to persist for the next 24-48 hours, informed senior IMD scientist RK Jenamani adding that the  peak temperature today will be in Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Delhi's temperature is expected to rise by 0.5-1 degrees and touch as high as 46°C at some stations. Haryana's temperature is also expected to be over 46 degrees Celsius at some stations.

The India Meteorological Department had issued a yellow alert in Delhi and orange alert for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra for the next four days. The IMD has predicted the prevailing heatwave conditions in large parts of the country to continue for at least the next five days till May 2nd. The temperature is expected to rise across north and east India by a minimum of 2-3 degrees in many places including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Bihar.

Today's temperature in Delhi may rise by 0.5-1 degrees & touch 46°C at some stations. Some stations in Haryana may record temperatures over 46°C. Peak temperature today will be in Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh & western Uttar Pradesh: RK Jenamani, senior scientist, IMD pic.twitter.com/rDFRJIUSwl

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2022

Jammu, which is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded its hottest day of the season so far with the temperature touching 40 degrees Celsius on April 27th, which is 4.4 notches above normal for this part of the season.

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i) Heat wave conditions over East, Central & Northwest India during next 5 days:
 Vidarbha, Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh during next 5 days;
 Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, interior Gangetic West Bengal & interior Odisha during 27th-30th April; pic.twitter.com/K2vcnltbLm

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) April 27, 2022

Early Summer Vacations?

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, March was the hottest month in 122 years. The temperature in the month of April is also touching record heights, which has led several states to call for early summer vacations to shelter the children from the heatwave conditions. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on April 27, 2022 urged the state education minister Bratya Basu to announce May 2 as the date for the onset of summer vacations in schools, colleges and universities amid the prevailing heatwave conditions in the state. She has also asked the private schools to implement this.

Most schools in Bhopal have also decided to end classes from April 29. The schools in Puducherry have also been closed for the summer holidays for Classes 1 to 9 from April 30. Odisha has also announced a five-day suspension of classes for all students from April 26 to April 30. 
Most of the schools in Maharashtra will also close for the summer holidays on May 2nd and open on June 12 for Classes 1-9. 

Karnataka government had announced summer vacations earlier only from April 10 to May 15. The schools in Andhra Pradesh will also be shut for summer vacations from May 6 to July 4. The Chhattisgarh education department also announced that the summer holidays will begin this year on April 24 and end on June 14.

When will we get relief from intense heatwave?

According to the senior IMD scientist RK Jenamani, states including Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana are likely to experience rainfall and thunderstorm from 2nd to 4th May, so the temperatures are expected to drop then to 36-39 degrees Celsius.

The heatwave, which is very intense today, will continue to persist for the next 24-48 hours after which the temperature will drop: RK Jenamani, senior scientist, IMD pic.twitter.com/WXGJ5NnoB4

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2022

The temperatures are expected to drop slightly from today in the states in eastern India including Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. Areas like Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Balangir & Angul(in Odisha) recorded 44°C yesterday but the temperature is expected to begin dropping from today, as per RK Jenamani. 

If we talk about eastern India, temperature already dropping slightly from today in Odisha, Bihar, WB & Jharkhand. Areas like Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Balangir & Angul(in Odisha) recorded 44°C y'day, temperature will begin dropping here from tomorrow: RK Jenamani, sr scientist, IMD pic.twitter.com/epb0vJoNvl

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2022

The IMD Scientist noted that as per the latest model projection, around May 4th a cyclonic circulation system will develop in Andaman Sea, it'll be followed by low pressure by 5th May, which is likely to further intensify and these changes are likely to cause a drop in temperature.

As per the latest model projection, around 4th May a cyclonic circulation system will develop in Andaman Sea, it'll be followed by low pressure by 5th May, It's likely to further intensify. All these changes likely to cause a drop in temperature: RK Jenamani, sr scientist, IMD pic.twitter.com/Z9RXxZC8aR

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2022

What is a heatwave?

A heatwave is a period of excessively hot weather that lasts for more than two days. Heatwaves can occur with or without high humidity and have the potential to cover a large area, exposing a large number of people to hazardous heat conditions that can lead to heatstroke, dehydration and heat exhaustion.

How to survive a heatwave?

1. Keep yourself hydrated.

2. Avoid being out in the sun.

3. Avoid strenuous activities.

4. Dress in comfortable clothes

5. Try and stay in shaded places when outside or seek shelter indoors.

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What was the Hottest Day ever recorded on the Earth?

The hottest day ever in the world was recorded on July 10, 1913 when a temperature of 134.1 degrees Fahrenheit (56.7 degrees Celsius ) was recorded at Death Valley in California, United States.

What was the hottest day ever in India?

The hottest day ever in India was on May 19, 2016 when a temperature of 51 degrees Celsius (123.8 F) was recorded in Phalodi, Rajasthan. 

Cause of Heat Waves in India

The rise in global temperatures and the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, especially in India in recent years are a result of climate change. According to a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Roxy Mathew Koll, while more research is needed to link the current heatwave directly to climate change, “the root cause for increasing heat waves in the Indo-Pakistan region is global warming due to human-made carbon emissions.”