‘Heatwave-like weather unusual’

PUNE: According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the highest maximum temperature recorded over the plains on Sunday was at 40 degrees Celsius in Anantpur of Rayalseema district, Andhra Pradesh. From the past three days, eastern coast and some pockets of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are experiencing heatwave like situations. Weather experts said that a rise in temperature is expected, however, the phenomenon of heatwave like situations is not normal in the first half of March.

Speaking about the rising temperatures across India, AK Srivastava, head of Climate Research Division, said that March is a season change month.

From cold weather to warmer days, March witnesses a change in weather. As the days pass, the temperature is expected to rise, as this is summer. However, the temperature rising as much as a heatwave like condition is not normal for the start of March. In most cases, this is experienced in the second part of March and thereafter in the coming months, said Srivastava.

He further added that the heatwave may not be very severe.  This time, particularly in southern India, there is above normal day temperature reported this March,” said Srivastava.

Speaking about why the east part of the coast has a rise in temperature, Anupam Kashyapi, Head of Weather, IMD Pune, said that the rise is seasonal and there has been an overall rise in temperature.

One of the factors is the absence of northern winds, which are cooler. There is also a seasonal rise in temperature, said Kashyapi.

Talking about heatwave like situations, he said that these were in isolated areas. Along the coast, the criterion for heatwave like situation is different from that of the plains. For the plains, if the departure of the day temperature is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees more, then the condition of the heatwave is likely. For plains also, if the temperature is 40 degrees or more, then the conditions are heatwave like. However, for the coastal areas, if the temperature is 37 degrees or more, then the conditions are heatwave like, said Kashyapi.

RISING HEAT IN MAHARASHTRA
- The State is also experiencing blazing heat and cooler winds since the start of March. Speaking about it, Kashyapi added that the weather conditions are due to mixed wind patterns.
- There was some effect of the western disturbance and the hotter winds from the sea, which was giving a mixed weather pattern. Now, as days pass, there will be a gradual increase in heat as summer season has started, said Kashyapi.