IMD issues ‘Yellow Alert’ for Delhi, scorching heat and dust storms likely in THESE states

New Delhi: The India Meteorological department warned of heat wave conditions for the next 5 days in Northwest and Central India and sounded a "Yellow alert" in Delhi on Wednesday.

The agency said the maximum temperature in the city will see a jump of two to three degrees and is likely to settle around 43 Celsius.

"Heat wave conditions over Northwest & Central India during the next 5 days and over East India during next 3 days and abate thereafter" said the weather agency... adding that Rain/Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning/gusty winds likely to continue over Northeast India".

It said the rise by about 2°C in maximum temperatures is very likely over most parts of Northwest India during the next 2 days and no significant change thereafter.

"Heat Wave conditions in isolated pockets over West Rajasthan during 28th -30th April with severe heat wave conditions on 1st -2nd May,” it said.

"Dust storm is very likely over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on 30th April" the agency predicted.

On Wednesday, IMD said the Maximum Temperatures were 43-45°C over most parts of West Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh & East Uttar Pradesh; in some parts of East Rajasthan, Saurashtra-Kutch, interior Gangetic West Bengal Madhya and Maharashtra.

Rajasthan's Banswara recorded the highest temperature of 45.5°C, followed by Vanasthali (clocking 45.4°C), Dholpur (45.4°C), Barmer (45.1°C), Jodhpur's Phalodi (45.2°C), Bikaner (45.2°C) and Karauli (45°C). Other districts of the desert state were no better, with several registering temperatures in the 43-44°C range.

The weather agency also notified that heatwaves could lead to "moderate" health concerns for vulnerable people. "Hence people of these regions should avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, cotton clothes and cover the head by use of cloth, hat or umbrella etc," IMD said.

However, some respite may come on Sunday as the partly cloudy sky, light rain, and a dust storm with winds gusting up to 50 kmph are predicted.

In April this year, the city witnessed as many as eight heatwave days, the maximum since 11 such days witnessed in the month in 2010.

The weather agency also notified that heatwave could lead to "moderate" health concerns for vulnerable people, including infants, elderly people with chronic disease.

Over the rainfall activity, the agency said, "Under the influence of strong southwesterly winds from Bay of Bengal to northeastern States at lower tropospheric levels, rainfall intensity is likely to increase over the region from 29th April ". (UNI)