As the mercury soars across several parts of India, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an orange alert for dangerously high temperatures in three states, West Bengal, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and further warned of a heatwave alert in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Sikkim, and Odisha.
“There will likely be a two-day marginal heatwave condition because of the increase in the temperature in not just Delhi, the temperature has increased in the entire north-west region of the country,” said Naresh Kumar, an official at IMD, according to a report by India Express.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said all educational institutions in the state will remain closed next week in view of the "severe" heatwave conditions. The school and higher education departments later clarified that the closure due to the heatwave will be effective across the state except for the hill areas. Similarily, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday announced that all government schools in the state will remain shut from April 18 to 23 due to the prevailing heatwave conditions.
The scorching heat may adversely impact the health of the students, he said in a Facebook post, announcing the closure of all state-run and state-aided schools. He also appealed to the private schools in the state to do the same in view of the prevailing weather condition.
Further, Northern Andhra Pradesh and its southern coastal regions would experience a heat wave for three days from Monday to Wednesday.
In Maharashtra, 11 people apparently died at an event from heatstroke in Navi Mumbai. The 'Maharashtra Bhushan' function was organised in an open ground. Around 50 people were admitted to the hospital and 24 were still in the hospital, as per a PTI report on Sunday night.
The IMD said that the maximum temperature in North, Northeast and Northwest India would be higher by three to four degrees than the normal temperature while mercury is likely to soar to 40 to 42 degree Celsius over many parts of the plains of Northwest India and adjoining Madhya Pradesh and East India.
However, some parts are likely to experience relief as the Western Disturbances are likely to bring thunderstorms to Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department said in its forecast. Due to this, temperatures are likely to drop by 2 to 3 degree Celcius in the plains.
