India heat wave: No relief in sight with heat to worsen in New Delhi later this week
A resurgence of heat later this week can rival recent days as the hottest so far this year across northern India and neighboring Pakistan.
Saturday marked the hottest day so far this year in India's National Capital Region (NCR) as temperatures soared to 39 C (103 F) in New Delhi.
Despite a brief reduction in heat in recent days another prolonged spell of dangerous heat is forecast for the NCR starting on Wednesday. Temperatures will once again climb above 38 C (100 F). A high closer to 33 C (91 F) is more common in the NCR during the first days of April.
Temperatures will climb to around 38 C (100 F) in New Delhi on Wednesday and then reach 40-41 C (104-106 F) from Friday into the weekend. This heat is unlikely to break through the middle of the month.
Dangerous heat also awaits areas from Rajkot to Ahmedabad and Nagpur later this week. Sizzling highs of 40-43 C (104-110 F) are expected.
Similar temperatures can bake southern Pakistan, including Hyderabad and Khairpur.
Karachi will also continue to endure intense heat in the coming days. Following several days of temperatures at or above 38 C (100 F), the area can expect daily high temperatures of 35-38 C (95-100 F) this week.
While actual temperatures may not be as extreme in Mumbai and other coastal areas with highs in the lower 30s C (lower 90s F) this week, high humidity will create dangerously high AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures in excess of 38 C (100 F) Wednesday into Friday.
Download the free AccuWeather app to get precise temperature forecasts for your community.
Boys play in a water canal to cool off on a hot summer day in Jammu, India, Tuesday, May 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)
"There may not be appreciable relief from the heat until the monsoon starts in June," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls. "Latest indications point toward departures from normal not being as high in late April, but typical heat may still bake the region."
Residents are reminded to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses as the hot weather holds firm.
Wear light clothing, drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activities during the midday and afternoon hours, which are the hottest times of the day. Worsening air quality can add to health concerns.
India endures lengthy heat waves each year prior to the arrival of monsoon rainfall. More than 6,000 heat-related deaths have been reported in India since 2010, according to the Times of India.
