New Delhi: Winters came and went, but it seems like summer days are here to stay. It's only the beginning of April and people can already feel the heat.
Adding to this, meteorologists have declared that this year will witness an average rise of 1 degree Celsius in summer temperatures — as predicted by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday over most of India. This would mean more days of extreme heat as well as a higher likelihood of heat waves compared to last year.
The Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) defines a heatwave as an excess of five to six degrees C over the maximum daily temperature (over a 30-year period) of less than 40 degree C or an excess of four to five degree C over a normal historical maximum temperature of over 40 degree C. The IMD declares a heat wave when the actual maximum temperature is above 45 degree C.
As per a report in The Hindu, more heatwaves could mean a greater public health concern. Last year, heat waves killed over 1,500 in Andhra Pradesh alone. As The Hindu reported in February, this year the IMD will be issuing a summer fortnightly forecast about the likelihood of heatwaves across the country.
On Thursday the Met Department stated that the summer months of 2016 would be warmer than normal across all meteorological sub-divisions of the country and above-normal, heat wave (HW) conditions are very likely over central and northwest India during the period.
