India: Mid-April brings resurgence of dangerous heat to New Delhi, Kolkata
A resurgence of heat across northern India next week will once again put millions of residents at risk for heat-related illnesses.
Temperatures soared to 40 C (104 F) across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday and will remain dangerously high much of this week.
Highs of 39-41 C (102-106 F) will be common from the NCR to Patna and Kolkata through at least Thursday. Temperatures will soar closer to 43 C (110 F) in Ahmedabad.
Temperatures may begin to lower around the NCR on Friday as a storm approaches far northern India. Dangerous heat will continue farther south and east into this weekend.
As the heat intensifies, the potential for cooling thunderstorms will diminish.
A thunderstorm last Wednesday night is being blamed for minor damage to the Taj Mahal's gates in Agra, according to BBC News.
High humidity will contribute to dangerously higher AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures in Kolkata, Mumbai and other locations near the coast.
Residents will once again have to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and avoid strenuous activities during the midday and afternoon (the hottest times of the day). Be sure that the elderly, children and homeless are following these precautions, while ensuring animals have proper shelter.
No relief will come at night as temperatures will drop to only 24-28 C (76-82 F) starting on Sunday night. Buildings that are not air conditioned will not be able to cool down.
In addition to the heat, residents will have to contend with the poor air quality that is so common this time of year.
"The heat this spring has been back and forth in India," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said. "It looks like this kind of pattern can carry into May."
Nicholls anticipates a storm will ease the heat some late next week in the north, followed by the chance for isolated cooling showers and thunderstorms across a more widespread area the following week.
"Heat can build again over northwestern India toward the end of the month," he said.
Looking ahead to May, Nicholls anticipates that "Northwestern India will probably still be a little hotter than normal, but likely not as hot as last May."
Average high temperatures range from 38-40 C (lower 100s F) in the NCR in May.
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