Updated on April 21, at 11:37 am: Heatwave to prevail in Maharashtra; irrigate summer crops in morning
Currently, a trough is seen extending from Bihar to Karnataka across Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha.
Hot day conditions may prevail at isolated parts of Vidarbha. Temperatures were also recoded above 40 degrees. Meanwhile, minimum temperatures were seen above normal by 5 degrees.
At present, Chandrapur in Maharashtra is the hottest city in India with a maximum temperature of 45.9°C. However, chances of sun stroke and heatwave conditions, over the area are possible. People must avoid moving during mid-day conditions and try to remain indoors.
Mumbai is also expected to remain hot and humid.
Updated on April 20, at 12:35 am: Heatwave to prevail in Maharashtra; irrigate summer crops in morning
Heatwave conditions continue to tighten its grip over parts of Maharashtra. In fact, the temperatures had been witnessing a soaring trend over most districts of the state for the last many days.
The temperatures in most parts of Vidarbha have been clocking 44 degrees Celsius. In fact, Chandrapur continues to reel under heatwave conditions the second consecutive day with the day temperatures settling at 45.3ºC. On April 18 also, the city has witnessed the daytime high at 44.6 degrees Celsius.
The other districts that had witnessed the maximums nearing or surpassing the 44 degrees mark on Thursday include Gondia at 44.4ºC, Brahmapuri 44.3ºC, Wardha 44ºC, and Akola 44ºC.
The weather of Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra are also witnessing soaring mercury levels though the temperatures are comparatively on the lower side.
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During the similar time frame, the temperatures across the Konkan division remained close to the 35-degree mark while parts of South Madhya Maharashtra saw the day temperatures nearing 40-degree mark. Pune recorded the maximum temperatures at 39.7ºC, Nashik 39.2ºC and Mumbai saw the maximums at 35.2ºC.
As of now also, Skymet Weather does not foresee any major changes for the next 48 hours as the weather is expected to remain dry. Thereafter, we expect scattered rain and thundershowers over parts of Vidarbha and adjoining North Madhya Maharashtra around April 23 and 24. This Pre-Monsoon activity would lead to a drop in the day temperatures by two to three degrees.
Meanwhile, the other divisions of the state would remain dry. The weather by April 25, is once again likely to dry up resulting in temperatures to rise again.
Thus, parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada may get to witness short-term relief from the heatwave conditions. On the other hand, the other regions of the state would continue to bear the brunt of the scorching heat.
At this stage, let us see the impact of this weather on the agriculture belt of Maharashtra:
In the wake of prevailing heatwave, farmers are advised to apply irrigation to summer crops, vegetables, and fruits crops as per the requirement. Irrigation should be given during evening hours. Before storing wheat for seed, farmers are suggested to dry it in bright sunlight which will help in destroying loose smut disease.
As scattered rain and thundershowers are expected over parts of Vidarbha and adjoining North Madhya Maharashtra around April 23 and 24, therefore, farmers are advised to keep the harvested produce in safer place. For Konkan region, farmers are advised to continue harvesting of 80 to 85% matured mangoes in morning and evening hours and undertake harvesting of okra, leafy vegetables, and watermelon.
Image Credit: DNA India
Any information taken from here should be credited to skymetweather.com