HYDERABAD: A severe heatwave continues to grip the country, with daytime temperatures rising significantly above normal across several states. The scorching sun has deterred many from stepping outdoors, with the elderly and children struggling to cope with the extreme heat. On Tuesday, hot winds lashed multiple states, including the national capital Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, as maximum temperatures soared.
Rajasthan, particularly the desert district of Barmer, recorded the highest temperature in the country. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Barmer registered a maximum temperature of 46.4°C on Tuesday, which is 7.6 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Other areas in Rajasthan also reported extremely high temperatures, with Jaisalmer at 45°C, Chittorgarh at 44.5°C, Bikaner at 44.4°C, and Ganganagar at 44.2°C. The IMD stated that temperatures in these regions were between 7 to 9 degrees Celsius higher than normal.
In the national capital, Delhi, the Safdarjung Observatory recorded a temperature of 41°C, prompting the IMD to issue a yellow alert for the city. On Monday, the same observatory recorded 40.2°C, which was 5.1 degrees above the normal average.
The IMD reported that 27 weather stations across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh recorded temperatures above 43°C. Of these, at least 19 stations reported severe heatwave conditions.
In Gujarat, Surendranagar recorded 44.8°C, Rajkot 44°C, Amreli 43.8°C, and Mahuva and Kandla both at 43.4°C. Notably, Mahuva’s temperature was 8.3 degrees Celsius above average. In Maharashtra, Akola reported 44.1°C, Nandurbar 43.5°C, Jalgaon 43.3°C, and Amravati 43°C. In Madhya Pradesh, Guna and Ratlam recorded temperatures of 43.4°C and 43.2°C respectively.
The IMD has forecast a possible relief from heatwave conditions in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh on April 10 and 11.
