Mercury jumps by 6 degrees, IMD warns of heatwave today

Panaji: The India meteorological department (IMD) issued a heatwave warning for March 8 and 9 for the state after the mercury soared six degrees above normal to 38.4°C on Wednesday – the third highest maximum temperature recorded in the city in over three decades.
The highest maximum temperature recorded in Panaji is 39.8°C on April 7, 1989. Almost two and half decades later, IMD, Panaji, had recorded 38.7°C on March 6, 2013.
This year, it had recorded 38.2°C on February 16 — the second highest jump of mercury in a decade.
As forecast by IMD, Panaji, the intensity of heat increased on Wednesday, causing much uneasiness, as the mercury climbed from 37°C on Tuesday to 39.4°C by almost a degree and half.
“This is a marginal heatwave condition which accounts for a yellow warning,” the IMD said.
“With the strengthening of easterly winds, clear sky conditions and delay in setting time of sea breeze, the maximum temperature over Goa is likely to remain 4-6°C higher than normal. Persistence of these conditions is likely to satisfy the criteria of heat wave over Goa on Thursday,” IMD scientist Rahul M said.
The IMD had issued a heatwave warning for March 8 as well. Panaji recorded 38.4°C on Wednesday which was 6°C higher than its normal value while
Mormugao, on the other hand, recorded 37.8°C which was 6°C higher than its normal value.
Heatwaves can occur with or without high humidity. They have potential to cover a large area, exposing a high number of people to hazardous heat.
The conditions for heatwave over coastal station are when the maximum temperature is greater than or equal to 37°C, or when the departure of maximum temperature from normal is greater than 4.5°C. Also, when the persistence of these conditions is for two continuous days, then the second day is considered to have realised the heatwave conditions.
Maximum temperature recorded at the observatories of the Goa meteorological centre on Wednesday after 24 hours reveal that the heatwave conditions are very likely at isolated places over Goa on March 9.
The IMD however maintained that the maximum temperature is likely to fall gradually by 2-3 degrees from March 11 onwards.
“Though the heat is tolerable for the general public, it is a moderate health concern for vulnerable people like infants, elderly and people with chronic diseases since there is a possibility of dehydration and dry grass catching fire,” the IMD warning read.