New Delhi: A severe heatwave is sweeping across North India, causing widespread disruption and posing significant health risks. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Rajasthan, warning of extreme heatwave conditions in the western parts of the state. Temperatures in Sri Ganganagar reached a staggering 47.3°C, highlighting the intensity of the heat. The Jaipur Meteorological Centre has predicted that this extreme weather will persist for several days.
Further north, an orange alert is in effect for Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. Delhi experienced a real-feel temperature of 48.9°C, with the IMD issuing a two-day orange alert and advising residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the heat. The IMD predicts that the very hot weather will continue in Delhi until at least June 12th. However, there is a possibility of some relief from the 12th onwards, with forecasts predicting light rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
Adding to the challenging situation, devastating forest fires have engulfed areas in the Udhampur and Poonch districts of Jammu & Kashmir. In the Kalli forest area of Udhampur, vast stretches of lush greenery were reduced to ashes on Monday evening. The entire Jammu region is experiencing a scorching heatwave, with Samba recording the highest maximum temperature of 46.6°C, and Jammu city reaching 44.3°C.
Five districts in the region reported temperatures above 40°C. The combination of extreme heat and widespread forest fires presents a serious challenge for the region, demanding immediate attention and preventative measures.
