The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of extreme heat wave conditions persisting across the northwestern parts of the country for the next few days. A red alert has been issued for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and parts of Rajasthan as temperatures soar.
Temperatures soared to 46.9 degrees Celsius in some parts of northwest India on Saturday, with scorching conditions expected to continue for the next five days. The IMD forecasts that Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh will be among the worst-hit regions.
"Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely to continue over plains of Northwest India during next five days and Heat wave conditions likely over East and Central India during next three days," the IMD stated in its latest forecast.
A red alert has been issued for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and West Rajasthan, while an orange alert is in place for East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Rajasthan's Barmer recorded the highest temperature at 46.9 degrees Celsius, with several other locations in the state experiencing temperatures above 46 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is predicted in many parts of South India. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected over Coastal Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Lakshadweep. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rainfall predicted over Tamil Nadu and Kerala during May 19-21.
The IMD has issued a 'red' alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kottayam districts of Kerala for Sunday, with an orange alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts.
