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Heat wave claimes 300 lives, but Met says this was expected We are entering the peak of summer. This is how it goes.
Hotter than West Asia
Temperatures in many parts of northern and western India hovered around 45°C on Thursday, making India hotter than West Asia, which recorded temperatures around 40°C, and even parts of North Africa.
And it isn't going to get any better soon.
The monsoon that had slowed down temporarily is back on its path and is expect- ed to hit Kerala on May 30-31.
But Delhi will have to waittill at least June 29, when the mon- soon is scheduled to hit the city.
The heat wave has already claimed the lives of 300 people this summer, including 100 in Gujarat, 92 in Maharashtra, 35 in Rajasthan, 34 in Bihar and four in Madhya Pradesh.
“The heat is unbearable. It's like hell on earth,“ said Rashid Hasan, 35, in Delhi.
Another Delhi resident Susan Mathew, 33, said she was not sure if she should stay indoors or go out. “Humidity levels are so high. With frequent power cuts, we can't run air condi- tioners all day. You get soaked indoors and toasted outdoors.
What does one do?“ she won- dered.
Weather officials said the high temperatures were expect- ed. “We are entering the peak of summer. This is how it goes,“ weather bureau chief Ajit Tyagi told HT.
Temperatures in Gujarat have also been hovering around 46°C, with Idar in north Gujarat touching 48.5°C -- the highest recorded ever.
Temperatures in most parts of Maharashtra soared above 44°C. In Rajasthan, three peo- ple died due to the heat on Thursday. Bikaner was roast- ing at 47.6 °C, while Jaipur was at 43°C.
Peak temperatures will last until pre-monsoon showers, likely after mid-June in Delhi and other northern cities.
Temperatures in Delhi, Chandigarh and Japiur are also forecast to drop slightly from Thursday to Saturday because of dust-bearing winds. They may not bring rain, but dust clouds over Delhi, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana will act as a shield from the sun.
The weather bureau's nation- al bulletin for the next five days promises some relief. “Fall in maximum temperatures by 24°C over northwest for next two to three days,“ it reads.
Enjoy until it lasts. After that, temperatures are expected to rise again.
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