Heatwave Intensifies Across Gujarat, Karnataka; Temperature To Remain Above 40 Degrees

Ahmedabad/Bengaluru: Gujarat is bracing for a severe heatwave, with meteorologists predicting record-breaking temperatures across the state from May 2 to May 4. According to weather forecasts by the India Meteorological Department, regions, including Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, are expected to experience temperatures soaring between 41 to 44 degrees Celsius, with some areas potentially exceeding this range.

The heat is set to peak during the voting period, raising concerns about the impact on voter turnout.

Also Read: Most Parts Of India Likely To Experience Above Normal Maximum Temperatures In May: IMD

The state’s weather bureau has issued heatwave warnings for Saurashtra, with predictions extending to Diu and Kutch, where the mercury is expected to climb even further.

After May 3, a sharp rise in temperature by approximately two degrees Celsius is anticipated, pushing the limits of seasonal heat records.

Residents and officials are advised to prepare for extreme conditions that pose health risks. Authorities recommend staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours, and taking necessary precautions to ensure safety amid these scorching temperatures. This is essential as Gujarat goes to polls on May 7 for the Lok Sabha election 2024.

Heatwave red alert 

A red alert denoting severe heat wave has been issued for six districts of Karnataka by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), as temperatures are likely to cross 46 degrees Celsius. KSNDMC has quoted SHAR-ISRO as its source.

Bagalkote, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Koppal districts will see temperatures ranging from 40 to 46 degrees Celsius between May 1 and May 9, according to KSNDMC.

The monitoring centre also pointed out that when comparing the maximum temperature recorded in Karnataka in the past seven years – between 2017 and 2024 – April 30, 2024 recorded the highest, 45.6 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, in a statement released by the India Meteorological Department in Bengaluru, the trough/wind discontinuity from southeast Madhya Pradesh to South Interior Karnataka (SIK), across Vidarbha, Marathawada and North Interior Karnataka (NIK) extending up to 1.5km above mean sea level persists.

But as per IMD, the department issued a severe heat (red) alert only when the actual maximum temperature crosses 47 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperatures are likely to continue and also be around 40 to 46 degrees Celsius over parts of NIK districts, such as Raichur, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Bellary and Vijayapura districts till May 6, the natural disaster management centre said on social media platform X.

The remaining NIK districts, most of the SIK districts and Dakshina Kannada district are likely to experience maximum temperature between 40 and 44 degrees Celsius, it added.

Also Read: Severe Heat Wave Forecast In West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand

Parts of Kodagu, Udupi, Hassan, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and parts of Uttara Kannada districts are likely to experience between 33 and 40 degrees Celsius till May 6, according to the centre.

From May 7, maximum temperatures are likely to come down by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius across the state, according to KSNDMC.

Meanwhile, as per realised rainfall across the state data by KSNDMC, while isolated rains were observed in six districts — Haveri, Dharwad, Gadag, Vijayapura, Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada — dry/negligible rains were received in 25 districts, including Bengaluru rural and urban on April 30.

Maximum rainfall of 35mm was recorded at Bhogavi in Haveri district.

As per the cumulative date of rainfall from January 1 to April 30, only coastal Karnataka recorded an excess of 59% rainfall from usual, while the rest of Karnataka had deficit rainfall ranging from 13% to 80%, said a press release by KSNDMC, which compiles the data from telemetric rain gauge locations established by it across the state.

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