Excruciating heat has vacated most parts of the country now. Last week, around this time, large parts of the country, from east to west and north to south were grappling with scorching heat. Day temperatures in excess of 40 degrees were prevalent over the core heat areas for days together. The first half of the week was more punishing for the western, northern and central parts. Bundi, in Rajasthan, recorded the highest temperature of the season at 45.2 degrees on 18th April. Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh was close 2nd with 44.6 degrees. During the 2nd half of the week, harassing heat shifted the goalpost to cover eastern parts spanning West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. Bankura in West Bengal and Baripada in Odisha witnessed a blaze with temperatures in excess of 44 degrees scoring a hat trick between the 18th and 21st of April.
Next came the streak of typical pre-monsoon systems. Heat-triggered showers lashed many parts of the north and central parts first and the eastern states later during 2nd half of the week. Searing heat vacated most parts and temperatures plunged below normal, providing much-needed relief. Sweltering weather conditions made space for a lenient atmosphere raising comfort levels. Mercury has nosedived to register below-normal temperatures of low and mid-30s across most parts of the country. Barring isolated pockets of Saurashtra and Rayalaseema with temperature breaching the 40-degree mark, a relatively cool phase is swaying large parts with decent comfort levels.
Currently, a cyclonic circulation is marked over central Madhya Pradesh. An anticyclone over the Bay of Bengal is pumping moist winds across the coast, deep inland. The eastern half of the country will witness rain and thundershowers over the next 2-3 days. This will cover Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Fresh western disturbance is arriving on 26th April. This will find the support of induced cyclonic circulation moving across Rajasthan and Delhi region. The other circulation over the central parts will also persist with a trough extending across peninsular India.
Under the combined influence of these multiple weather systems, pre-monsoon weather activity will impact most parts of the country. Northern and western parts will have weather activity commencing 26th April. Simultaneous occurrence over most parts will start on 28th April and go on till 04th May, more intensely during the 2nd half of this period. Heat wave will remain abated for the rest of April from large parts of the country. In view of widespread weather activity, the otherwise oppressive month of May will make a soft beginning. The 1st week is expected to offer pleasing conditions, including over the hottest pockets of the country.
