Mumbai: Several parts of Maharashtra continued to reel under a severe heat wave with Akola recording the highest temperature in the country at 46.9°C. Heat wave conditions are expected to persist across parts of the Vidarbha region till Tuesday, as maximum temperatures may reach 45 to 46 degrees Celsius and touch 47 degrees Celsius at isolated locations, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Nagpur experienced heat wave conditions, while several other districts reported above-normal temperatures. While Amravati recorded 46.8 degrees Celsius, Wardha 46.4 degrees Celsius, Yavatmal 46 degrees Celsius, Nagpur 45.4 degrees Celsius and Chandrapur recorded 45 degrees Celsius, MeT officials said.
The IMD has cautioned that extreme heat will grip large parts of Maharashtra in the coming days. It has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Akola, Amravati and Wardha districts, indicating the need for preparedness, while a ‘yellow’ alert – signifying caution – has been sounded for Nagpur, Chandrapur and Yavatmal.
Maximum temperatures in these areas are expected to range between 45 degrees Celsius and 46 degrees Celsius, with isolated locations potentially touching 47 degrees Celsius. Relief is forecast for Wednesday, with a predicted 2-3 degrees Celsius dip and potential rainfall.
The prevailing above-normal and persistently high temperatures over Vidarbha can be attributed to an anticyclonic circulation over Maharashtra and adjoining areas. At the same time, hot and dry northwesterly winds have been continuously affecting the region, they said.
Meanwhile, Mumbai is set to experience a welcome respite from the ongoing heatwave, with the IMD forecasting a dip in temperatures to around 33 degrees Celsius in the coming week. This forecast comes after days of sweltering conditions, with maximum temperatures in some parts of the city soaring to 39 degrees Celsius.
The city recorded maximum temperatures of 34.5°C at Colaba and 34.3°C at Santacruz on Monday.