Indian summers are increasingly becoming harsher. Above normal temperatures that were a regular feature during the peak summer months of May and June are now a thing of the past. April has begun to scorch under the hot blazing sun with mercury remaining relentless and touching new heights every other day in several parts of India.
While last year Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were reeling under severe heat wave that claimed 2500 lives, this year Indian states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have already witnessed temperatures higher than the normal. Joining the list of these states is West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar where currently the weather is highly unbearable due to heatwave.
Heatwave grips West Bengal
April started on a comfortable note with maximum temperature remaining in lower 30s to mid 30s in parts of East India. However, since last 48 hours, there has been a sudden increase of 2-3 degrees across West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand.
Parts of West Bengal that are reeling under above normal temperature include Bankura and Kolkata.
Bankura recorded 33°C as maximum on April 1 and the temperature shot up by 4 degrees the next day. The mercury could not hold back anymore and it drastically rose to 45°C on April 7, highest maximum in the last decade. Bankura’s all-time highest maximum temperature is 45.2°C, recorded on April 15, 1973. According to Skymet weather, the weather is not likely to witness any relief in next couple of days due to which the temperature may soar to few notches above than the normal in Bakura.
Secondly, Kolkata is also witnessing maximum temperature settle at 40.1°C, which is the highest for the season so far.
Bihar is also grappling with heatwave like conditions as temperatures are settling above 40°C mark.
In the absence of any weather systems, pre-monsoon rain or thundershowers, temperatures are unlikely to come down due to which severe hot weather is likely to persist in East India for next 2-3 days.
