Heatwave broils north Indian plains, some respite likely over next 3 days

Parts of north India sizzled under a punishing heatwave on Monday with the temperature breaking a five-year record for April in Delhi and hovering above the 40-degree mark in most parts of neighbouring Haryana and Punjab.

Some respite from the heat is likely in the region over the next few days. While cloudy conditions are expected in Delhi on Tuesday, a western disturbance may bring isolated rainfall over parts of Haryana and Punjab on Wednesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Delhi on Monday recorded a maximum temperature of 42.6 degrees Celsius, seven notches above normal and the highest in April in five years, IMD data showed.

It is also the first time in 72 years that the national capital has recorded such a high temperature in the first half of April.

The capital has recorded five heatwave days so far in April this year, the maximum in at least 12 years. It had recorded four such days in April 2017, the IMD data stated.

The city had recorded a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius on April 21, 2017. The all-time high maximum temperature for the month was 45.6 degrees Celsius on April 29, 1941.

The Sports Complex weather station was the hottest place in Delhi with a maximum temperature of 44.1 degrees Celsius. The mercury settled above 42 degrees Celsius at most places in the city.

Cloudy conditions will bring slight relief from the searing heat from Tuesday. However, a 'yellow' alert for a heatwave in parts of the capital is still in place.

The IMD uses four colour codes for weather warnings -- green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).

For the plains, a 'heatwave' is declared when the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius and at least 4.5 notches above normal. A 'severe heatwave' is declared if the departure from normal temperature is more than 6.4 notches, according to the IMD.

Sweltering heat also swept neighbouring Haryana.

Faridabad's Bopani recorded a high of 45.3 degrees Celsius, according to a report by the Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh.

Gurugram and Hisar recorded a maximum temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius.

The mercury settled at an uncomfortable 43.5 degrees Celsius in Narnaul and at 42.5 degrees Celsius in Bhiwani.

Rohtak recorded a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius, Ambala 41.2 degrees Celsius and Sirsa 43.7 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, Bathinda recorded a maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees Celsius.

Amritsar recorded a high of 41.2 degrees Celsius, Ludhiana 41.5 degrees Celsius, Patiala 42.6 degrees Celsius and Jalandhar 41.7 degrees Celsius.

Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a high of 40.7 degrees Celsius.

A western disturbance may bring isolated rainfall over parts of Haryana and Punjab on Wednesday, the IMD said.

Dust-raising winds with a speed of 20-30 kmph are likely over southern parts of Haryana and Punjab on Tuesday and Wednesday, it said.

The respite, however, will be short-lived as temperatures will increase again after three days, the IMD said in a release.

"Spatial extent & intensity of Heat Wave Spell likely to reduce over Northwest India from 13th April...," it said.

"No significant change in maximum temperatures very likely over most parts of Northwest India today, gradual fall by 2-3C during next 3 days and increase thereafter," it added.

IMD officials said a prolonged dry spell has led to "severe" hot weather conditions in northwest India.

The weather department said northwest India and adjoining parts of central India are predicted to see more intense and frequent heatwave conditions in April.