Severe heat wave likely in several parts of India

"Red" warning in east & west Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Saurashtra and Kutch regions in Gujarat for tomorrow

No relief from harsh weather is likely in the next few days with IMD today saying that severe heat wave conditions will prevail in north and central parts of the country.

Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are very likely at a few places in Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha. Heat wave conditons are very likley at isoloated places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, East Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat region and East Madhya Pradesh," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

It has also issued a "red" warning in east and west Rajasthan, Vidarbha, west Rajasthan, Saurashtra and Kutch regions in Gujarat for tomorrow.

"The (heat) intensity is likely to reduce thereafter and gradually abate during May 27 to 31. The maximum day and minimum night temperatures are likely to remain markedly above normal over entire northwest, west and central India during May 17 to 27. They are likely to fall to their respective normal or below normal values between May 27 and June 1," the IMD said.

Several parts of the country are reeling under intense heat while the MeT Department has predicted that the onset of monsoon will get delayed by six days.

South-west monsoon hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands two days before its normal date but a cyclone in Bay of Bengal is likely to "weaken" its progress which will result in delay of its onset in Kerala, it said.