Page 5 - India Meteorological Department

Power ministry asks utilities to be on high alert due to rising demand

The power ministry on Tuesday said it has asked all utilities "to maintain a high state of alert and minimise forced outages of equipment" amid heatwave pushing electricity demand, especially in the northern region where Monsoon is yet to arrive. The country's northern region has been experiencing high electricity demand due to a prevailing heatwave since May 17, 2024, the ministry said in a statement. Despite these challenging conditions, the ministry said, the highest ever peak demand of 89 GW in the northern region was successfully met on June 17, 2024. It was made possible by importing 25-30 per cent of the region's power requirement from neighbouring regions, it said. "All utilities have been advised to maintain a high state of alert and minimise forced outages of equipment," the statement said. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, heatwave conditions in North-West India are expected to abate from June 20. In response to the increased electricity

Skies are raining fire, Delhi on red alert: When will the heatwave end?

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for June 18, asking Delhiites to remain indoors, with the prediction that the mercury will go down from June 19

IMD issues severe heatwave alert for Delhi; predicts rainfall in North-East

Heatwave crisis in India: On Sunday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 44.9 degrees Celsius, which is six degrees above the normal

No one prepared for unprecedented heat endured this summer: Sunita Narain

India is grappling with unprecedented heat this summer and no one is prepared for the level of warming being experienced, leading environmentalist Sunita Narain has said, emphasizing the need for a heat index and a complete overhaul of the way modern cities are designed. In an interaction with PTI editors here, Narain, the Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said the brutal heat scorching swathes of India is a result of naturally occurring El Nino phenomenon -- an unusual warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean -- and climate change. "Nobody is prepared. Let's be very clear. 2023 was globally the hottest year on record. We have broken every record in the last 45 days with an unbroken (streak of) temperatures above 40 degrees. This is climate change. It is compounded this year by the waning of the (2023-24) El Nino. This means we really need to get our act together. We need to ensure that vulnerable communities are .

Monsoon may weaken, worsening heat wave conditions in North India

According to the updated dates, the monsoon is now expected to reach the national capital around June 27, while previously, the normal onset date was June 23

Heatwave scare in India: 45 lives lost in past 36 hours, death toll hits 87

On Friday, India reported at least 40 suspected heat-related deaths, 25 of them were staff deployed on Lok Sabha elections duty in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

Southwest monsoon arrives in Kerala, says IMD: Here is what it means

The Southwest Monsoon has arrived in Kerala and advanced into much of Northeast India, the IMD announced on Thursday

Heatwave crisis: Mercury at record high in Uttarakhand, J&K, Himachal

Dehradun on Wednesday saw its maximum temperature soar to a record-breaking 43 degrees Celsius, surpassing the norm by 7 degrees and matching the highest-ever recorded temperature for May, set in 2012

Heatwave crisis: How many Indians are succumbing to the high temperatures?

India is grappling with unusually high temperatures this summer, with IMD predicting 'heat wave to severe heat wave' conditions to persist in several regions

Delhi nears 50 degrees Celsius: What's causing extreme heat in capital?

Delhi weather updates: Outer areas of the national capital, Mungeshpur and Narela, recorded 49.9 degrees Celsius temperature on Tuesday, which is nine notches above the normal temperature

Improved prospects

Post-harvest losses must be minimised

IMD issues 'red alert' for North India, 'yellow' alert for Ladakh, Himachal

The meteorological department warns Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Western Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan are expected to experience 'heatwave to severe heatwave' conditions until May 28

As temperature crosses 47 degree Celsius, IMD issues 'red alert' for Delhi

In light of the severe weather conditions, the Directorate of Education in Delhi has instructed both government and private aided schools to observe their summer break from May 11 until June 30

2024 can be the warmest year ever recorded warns IMD as heatwaves spread

May is anticipated to bring heat wave conditions to Central and North Western India, attributed partially to the ongoing El Nino phenomenon

Around 15 flights diverted from Delhi due to adverse weather conditions

As many as 15 flights have been diverted from Delhi due to the adverse weather conditions in the national capital, Airport sources said.According to the sources, nine flights were diverted to Jaipur, two to Amritsar, two to Lucknow, one to Mumbai, and one to Chandigarh.Meanwhile, the national capital experienced a sudden change in weather as rain lashed several parts of Delhi on Tuesday evening.The brief spell of rain gave some relief to the commuters who have been facing the scorching heat in April.Earlier, the India Meteorological Department on Sunday said that the temperature in Delhi is expected to remain around 38 degrees Celsius in the coming 2-3 days adding that there is a possibility of light rain on Monday.Speaking to ANI, IMD Senior Scientist Dr Naresh Kumar said that in the next 4-5 days, the temperature can reach 44 degrees Celsius in Eastern India."In Delhi, our estimate is that the temperature is expected to remain around 38 degrees Celsius in the coming 2-3 days. After .

EC forms task force to review heatwave impact before each phase of polling

The first phase of Lok Sabha elections, held on 19 April, witnessed a dip in voter turnout from 69.9 per cent in 2019 to 65.5 this year

Global meteorologists meet to save radio frequency bands for observations

As the WMO stepped up coordinated efforts to ensure the protection of radio frequency bands -- vital for weather forecasts and life-saving early warnings -- India has emphasised on the need for frequent upper-air instruments intercomparisons. An Indian delegation is attending the third session of the World Meteorological Organisation's (WMO) Commission for Observation, Infrastructure and Information systems (INFCOM), held in Geneva from April 15 to 19. "The Indian delegation emphasised the need for frequent upper-air instruments intercomparison and offered a proposal of holding the next intercomparison in India. INFCOM President and WMO Secretariat appreciated the proposal," said a post on X by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday. Upper-air instruments include radiosonde that go up to 22-35 kilometres in the air to measure temperatures, air pressure, humidity and wind; and pilot balloons that go up to 5-6 kilometres for wind speed and direction. Both operate and a

No reports of impact of rains on wheat, other crops: Agri ministry

Late sown wheat crop, sown in 15 per cent of the total area of 34.15 million hectare this year, will be ready for harvest in a week's time. This crop has physiologically matured

India likely to experience above-normal rainfall this monsoon, says IMD

Last week, private weather forecasting agency Skymet also said that cumulative all India southwest monsoon this year could be 'normal' at 102 per cent of the LPA

Consider weather, climate inputs while planning one nation, one poll: IMD

With the government contemplating the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state elections, India Meteorological Department chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the authorities should certainly take weather conditions and the climate into consideration when planning for such a massive exercise. Mohapatra told PTI in an interview that India will experience intense heat during the general election period, and the IMD is providing specialised forecasts to help authorities prepare better, but it has not proposed a change in the timings of public rallies and voting. Asked about the ideal time to hold elections, given the central government's contemplation of the 'one nation, one poll' concept, the IMD director general stressed that the authorities must consider weather conditions and the climate while planning. 'One nation, one poll' refers to the idea of holding simultaneous polls in the country to elect Lok Sabha and state assembly representatives. The government has proposed this idea, sayi