‘Looks like hell’: India swelters with higher than average temperatures, IMD shares heat map
India heatwave
Many areas of India have been reeling under heat wave conditions for the past few days. On Tuesday (May 21), the highest temperature of 47.8°C in the country was recorded at Haryana's Sirsa.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a press release, on Wednesday (May 22) warned that the heat wave is likely to continue for the next five days.
"Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions most likely to continue over plains of Northwest India and Heat wave conditions over north Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat State during next 5 days," said the weather department.
This comes as power demandacross India witnesses a significant rise. On Wednesday afternoon, national capitalDelhi clocked its peak power demand of 8000 MW at 3:42 pm. This, as per reports, isthe highest ever in the history of the national capital.
Just a day earlier, Delhi had created another record with its peak power demand reaching 7,717 MW on Tuesday afternoon amid intense summer heat, said discom officials.
Maximum temperature may rise
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On Tuesday, as per IMD, "maximum temperatures were in the range of 44-47°C at many places in Rajasthan; in some places across Haryana, Madhya Pradesh andGujarat state; in isolated pockets over West Uttar Pradesh; in the range of 40- 44°C in many places over Punjab, Odisha andinterior Maharashtra; in some parts of East Uttar Pradesh andChhattisgarh; in isolated pockets of Telangana."
Also read |India's capital swelters at 47.4 degrees Celsius, IMD issues 'red alert' for next five days
"These were above normal by 2-4°C over many parts of Punjab and Saurashtra & Kutch; in some places over Haryana; in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat Region."
The temperatures will "very likely" rise by 2-3°C over the next five days, it adds.
"Gradual rises by about 2-3°C in maximum temperatures very likely over many parts of Central India and Maharashtra during next 5 days."
'Looks like hell'
On social media, the prevailing heat conditions have become a subject of memes, with people sharing relatable content.
One user took to social media platform Instagram to share a heat map of India. The image, which read: "If you live in this area, you are hot. Don't let haters tell you otherwise," was posted with the caption, "All singles in your area are hot singles."
The alarming image had most of the country doused in red colour, prompting people to comment, some in jest, others in satire.
Also read |IMD weather update: Monsoon approaching Andaman; heat wave to continue in northwest India
One user said, "Updated solar system: 1. Mercury 2. Delhi 3. Rajasthan 4. Venus…"
Another said, "Looks like hell".
A third user commented "Mera desh jal raha hai (My country is burning)," a satirical take on "Mera desh badal raha hai (My country is evolving)," a popular BJP election campaign song.
(With inputs from agencies)
