Most parts of the country, where monsoon is yet to reach, are reeling under extreme heat. North India has been exposed to the oppressive heat for over a month now. Even the eastern parts, comprising West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and East Uttar Pradesh have come under the wrath of scorching heat. Mercury levels have breached 45°C over some parts, like Varanasi, Fursatganj, Prayagraj, Dehri, Aurangabad, Gaya and Daltonganj. Prayagraj has recorded 47.1°C, the highest temperature in the country. Some other locations under scorching heat include Lucknow, Kanpur, Bahraich, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Patna, Chapra, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Pakur.
There seems to be a delay in the advancement of monsoon over the eastern parts. After the initial onset, the northern limit of the monsoon is stuck for the last 2 weeks. Under normal conditions, monsoon should have advanced over parts of West Bengal and Bihar-Jharkhand. The state of Bihar gets covered earliest by 15th June. It is likely to overshoot these timelines. Heat waves, severe in some pockets, will continue for about one week.
Mercury is expected to breach 45°C, repeatedly over eastern parts, between the 12th and 16th of June. There is no major system likely to form over the seas for taking the monsoon ahead. Yet, an in-situ cyclonic circulation is likely to form over North West Bengal, Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh, around 17th June. This feature is likely to give, much awaited rain and thundershowers, over these parts. The intensity and spread will increase further, between 18th and 21st June. Monsoon is likely to advance over Indo Gangetic plains, during this period. Heat waves over these parts will abate after 16th June 2024.
