New Delhi, May 23 (H.S.): Severe heatwave conditions continued to grip Delhi-NCR and large parts of northern and central India on Saturday, with no immediate relief expected over the next few days. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall has been forecast for several states in southern and northeastern India.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), clear skies and heatwave conditions are likely to persist in parts of Delhi beginning Sunday, May 24. Winds are expected to blow at speeds of 20–30 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 40 kilometres per hour during the day.

The maximum temperature in Delhi is likely to remain between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is expected to hover between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius.

On May 25, partly cloudy conditions are expected during the afternoon. The maximum temperature is forecast to remain between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may range between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius. Wind speeds could increase to nearly 45 kilometres per hour.

The Meteorological Department has also warned of heatwave conditions in some parts of the national capital on May 26, accompanied by winds blowing at speeds of 20–30 kilometres per hour, which may intensify to around 45 kilometres per hour during the daytime. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to remain between 43–45 degrees Celsius and 28–30 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to the IMD, there is little possibility of respite from the extreme heat across large parts of the country in the coming days. Severe heatwave conditions are likely to prevail over northwest India from May 24 to May 29, while central and eastern India are expected to experience intense heat over the next seven days. Eastern and adjoining peninsular regions are also likely to face severe heatwave conditions between May 23 and May 26.

While northern India continues to reel under intense heat, several parts of northeastern and southern India have been affected by heavy rainfall and storm activity.

During the past 24 hours, isolated areas in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya recorded heavy rainfall ranging between 11 and 20 centimetres. Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura received rainfall between 7 and 11 centimetres.

Several regions in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh also witnessed hailstorms. In addition, dust storms and thunderstorms with wind speeds of 50–80 kilometres per hour were reported in Punjab, Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, and northeastern states.

Severe heatwave conditions were also recorded in parts of western and eastern Uttar Pradesh, southern Haryana, northern Telangana, eastern Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand, where maximum temperatures reached between 43 and 44 degrees Celsius during the past 24 hours.

In view of the rapidly changing weather conditions, the Meteorological Department has urged people to remain cautious and take necessary precautions against extreme heat and adverse weather events.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar