Jaipur, April 20 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave alert for eight districts of Rajasthan, warning that temperatures could soar beyond 45 degrees Celsius in the coming days.

The alert, issued by the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, will remain in effect till April 23. According to the IMD, temperatures are expected to rise by 2-5 degrees Celsius across the state during this period, intensifying heatwave conditions.

For Monday, heatwave conditions have been forecast in Khairthal-Tijara, Kotputli-Behror, Churu, Alwar, Bharatpur, Deeg, Dholpur, and Jhunjhunu. On Tuesday, the heatwave is expected to expand further, impacting additional districts including Karauli, Sikar, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Phalodi, and Sri Ganganagar.

The heatwave has already begun tightening its grip. On Sunday, several districts, including Alwar, Bharatpur, Deeg, Dholpur, Jhunjhunu, Khairthal-Tijara, and Kotputli-Behror, recorded heatwave conditions. Daytime temperatures crossed 41 degrees Celsius in at least nine cities, with Kota recording the highest at 42.1 degrees. Meteorologists now warn that by the end of April this year, several parts of Rajasthan could again breach the 45 degrees Celsius mark.

The IMD has indicated that rainfall activity over the plains remains minimal. A weak western disturbance is currently passing over North India, but it is unlikely to bring any significant relief. As a result, heatwave conditions are expected to persist across North, Central, and parts of East India.

The Meteorological Department officials also suggested precautions which said that one should avoid stepping out between noon and 4 p.m., people should cover head with a hat, scarf, or umbrella if going outdoors, they should wear light-coloured, loose-fitting cotton clothes, drink plenty of water and should not wait until feel thirsty, consume ORS, lemon water, buttermilk, and coconut water regularly, avoid heavy, fried, and oily foods; opt for water-rich fruits like watermelon, cucumber, and muskmelon. The department also had a word of caution, advising taking special care of children and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to heatstroke and keep homes cool using curtains, fans, or air coolers, and stay indoors during peak heat hours.

Meanwhile, Kota in last 24 hours was the hottest with 42.1 degrees, while Churu and Chittorgarh both followed next with 42 degrees, Alwar recorded 41.5 degrees, while Barmer has 41.4 degrees, Barmer has 41.4 degrees, Bikaner: 41.0, Karauli: 41.0, Jaipur: 40.5, Jaisalmer: 40.0, Jodhpur: 40.0, Dungarpur: 40.0, Bhilwara: 39.6, Jhunjhunu: 39.6, Sri Ganganagar: 39.6, Dausa: 39. and Sikar: 39.5 degrees.

–IANS

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