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Heatwave Hits Odisha, Delhi Could Be Next

Heatwave Hits Odisha, Delhi Could Be Next

A man quenches his thirst on a hot summer day at Connaught Place in New Delhi, April 24, 2022. Photo: PTI/Kamal Singh

Bhubaneswar and New Delhi: According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that heatwave conditions are unlikely in Delhi for the next three days, but has issued a ‘yellow alert’ for a spell starting from April 28.

A heat wave occurs when the maximum temperature is 4.5-6.4º above normal and at least 40º C in the plains or 37º C in coastal areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) uses four colour codes for weather warnings – green (‘no action needed’), yellow (‘watch and stay updated’), orange (‘be prepared’) and red (‘take action’).

The city has already recorded eight heatwave days in April this year – the maximum for the month since 2010, when 11 such days were recorded.

Meanwhile, Odisha continued to swelter in the grip of a severe heatwave on April 25, prompting the state government to suspend classes in all schools for five days from Tuesday.

Several districts bore the brunt, including Cuttack, Khurda, Angul, Subarnapur, Boudh and Nayagarh, the state weather department’s office said.

The maximum temperature rose by 1-3º C in several places, while the minimum temperature was also higher than normal in some areas, it said.

A notification from the School and Mass Education Department said classes will remain suspended for five days, but that examinations of the Board of Secondary Education and the Council of Higher Secondary Education will be held as per schedule.

The directive applies to government, state-aided and privately-managed Odia and English-medium schools across the state.

The state government had earlier said the duration of summer vacation would be reduced to 10 days from 50, to help students make up for lost time due to school closure in response to COVID-19 outbreaks.

The department also said eight weather stations recorded a temperature of 43º C or more, with Bolangir sizzling at 44º C. The maximum temperature in the state capital, Bhubaneswar, was 40.8º C.

Temperatures are likely to settle above 40º C in many places the state in the next four-five days, the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre said.

It also issued a heat wave alert for some places in Subarnapur, Boudh and Bolangir districts of western Odisha for the next four days.

(PTI)

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