Scorching April! Gujarat, Rajasthan Reel Under Extreme Heatwave Conditions

Northwest India is suffering from a severe heatwave, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declaring orange and red alerts for various states. Gujarat and Rajasthan are among the most affected areas, with scorching temperatures that have already set records in the season. Barmer, Rajasthan, saw a searing 45.6°C, the highest April temperature ever recorded in the region. Likewise, areas of Gujarat, such as Saurashtra and Kutch, are experiencing extreme heatwave conditions, leading to a red alert.

Delhi and other north Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh are also facing high mercury levels, with temperatures soaring above 40°C. The IMD has cautioned that these record-breaking conditions will continue until April 10, after which a western disturbance can bring relief in the shape of thunderstorms and light rain.

People are being advised by authorities to drink plenty of water, stay away from direct sunlight, and adopt precautions to avoid heat-related ailments. Farmers have also been asked to shield crops from heat stress as the hot weather continues to affect farming activities.

This premature start of severe heat points towards the increasing menace of climate change, with experts forecasting more intense and longer heatwaves in the future.

Source: India Meteorological Department