Living with masks amid the novel coronavirus gets more difficult. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) centre in Ranchi on Monday announced the first heatwave in Jharkhand this year with maximum temperatures staying four to five notches above normal in many places of northwestern and central Jharkhand.
In Met parlance, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature climbs five notches above the average normal.
Last year the heatwave had debuted on May 9.
“A heatwave condition is prevailing in several places, including Palamau, Garhwa, Chatra, Latehar and Ranchi. Several places in western Jharkhand is also experiencing the loo (the hot and dry wind which blows in the plains during peak summers). The situation is expected to remain the same for the next 24 hours or so,” said S.D. Kotal, the director of the Ranchi Met Centre.
A weather bulletin issued by the Ranchi Met Centre said dry weather will prevail in Jharkhand during the next 24 hours. The day temperature will hover above normal by 4-5°C in the districts of Garhwa, Palamau, Chatra, Latehar, Gumla, Simdega, Lohardaga, Khunti and Ranchi and 3°C above normal in rest of the districts of Jharkhand, said the Met bulletin.
On Monday, most parts of the state, including Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Daltonganj, continued to reel under oppressive heat with the mercury crossing the 40°C.
Jamshedpur and Ranchi recorded over 40°C on Monday. The day reading in Ranchi was five notches above normal on Monday and three notches above normal in Jamshedpur.
On Sunday, Ranchi had recorded a maximum reading of 40.8°C, while Jamshedpur had recorded 39.4°C. Kanke in the outskirts of Ranchi too recorded close to 40°C for the second consecutive day on Monday.
Chaibasa in West Singhbhum, Bokaro and several other districts recorded an oppressive 40°C.
The daytime temperature notched over 44°C in Daltonganj and its adjoining areas for the second consecutive day on Monday. The maximum reading in Daltonganj (Palamau) and its adjoining districts was four to five notches above normal.
The stifling conditions are likely to last with the IMD offices in Ranchi and Patna ruling out Nor’wester relief in the next 24 hours.
Northern India is also in the grip of a severe heatwave for the last 48 hours.
The Ranchi Met Centre issued an alert of thunderstorms accompanied with gusty winds (30-40kmph) and lightning at a few isolated pockets on May 27 and 28.
