The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of a heat wave in parts of eastern and peninsular India over the next two days, alongside the possibility of intense rain and thunderstorms in the northeast region until April 9.
According to the IMD, heat wave conditions are expected in isolated pockets across Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, north interior Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema and Telangana on Friday and Saturday.
Additionally, a “significant amount of rainfall” has been forecast in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Gangetic West Bengal.
Already, heat wave conditions persist in isolated pockets of north interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam, as per the IMD.
The IMD also predicted scattered to widespread light and moderate rainfall or snowfall with isolated thunderstorms and lightning over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim in the next seven days.
In response to the forecast, the Centre has directed states and Union Territories to prepare plans for mitigating the effects of a heat wave, particularly in light of mass gatherings during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the importance of timely and widespread awareness among the public regarding preventive measures to minimize the severe impact of a heat wave.
The IMD’s recent prediction of above-normal maximum temperatures for the country this year has heightened concerns, particularly as temperatures ranging from 40 to 42 degrees Celsius have already been recorded in many parts of the country since the beginning of April.
With the forthcoming general elections expected to witness wide public participation, Mandaviya underscored the collective responsibility to prioritize public health amidst the event, ensuring both public engagement and health safety measures are effectively managed.
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