According to the forecast, above-normal day and night temperatures were expected in Maharashtra, along with parts of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, East Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh during the April to June period.
IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra attributed the sweltering outlook to the El Niño phenomenon, known for causing high temperatures over these regions. “We are expecting above-normal heatwave conditions in Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada, where the duration of heatwaves could be 2-8 days longer than usual during the April to June period this year. Heatwave conditions are also likely in April in parts of central and peninsular India, including Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada, which fall under the heatwave zone,” Mohapatra said.
KS Hosalikar, the head of climate research and services at IMD, Pune, told TOI, “A hotter-than-usual summer in the state is expected to impact various sectors, besides the daily lives of people. The health of vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, those with chronic conditions, and young children, is at risk because of the anticipated higher day and night temperatures. Warmer nights may impact sleep quality and work performance of people.”
He said the power sector could face challenges with increased electricity demand for airconditioning, potentially affecting load distribution. “Agriculture is another sector that could be affected, as higher daytime temperatures may cause increased evapotranspiration rates. This could lead to a greater reliance on irrigation to maintain crop yields, given that the monsoon is still over two months away. Water scarcity issues could also be exacerbated by the weather conditions. Planning by relevant departments is crucial to manage the situation,” Hosalikar said.
Individuals working outdoors or living in poorly ventilated accommodations were particularly vulnerable, he said.
According to Hosalikar, coastal areas with high humidity levels may experience increased discomfort due to the combination of higher humidity and temperatures. This can be distressing for the human body as it struggles to regulate its internal temperature.
“Heatwave days are expected to be above-normal in Madhya Maharashtra and adjoining Marathwada till June. However, east Vidarbha might see some respite with possible rainfall in April, reducing the likelihood of heatwaves compared to west Vidarbha, where little rain is expected,” Hosalikar said.
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