While scorching heat persists in Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand until May 6, the IMD has issued a thunderstorm alert for West Bengal. Heatwave Conditions Severe heatwave conditions prevail in the Gangetic West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Telangana.

While scorching heat persists in Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand until May 6, the IMD has issued a thunderstorm alert for West Bengal. Heatwave Conditions Severe heatwave conditions prevail in the Gangetic West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Telangana. The maximum temperature is three to five degrees Celsius above the usual in these places, IMD reported. On Saturday, Andhra Pradesh's Nandyal recorded the highest temperature of 46 degrees Celsius in the country for the third consecutive day. Furthermore, heatwave conditions might persist in Rajasthan, and the maximum temperature might increase by two to three degrees Celsius. IMD has predicted "light" to "moderate" rainfall with thunderstorm in Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, east Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Karnataka between May 5 and May 9. ALSO READ | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Complaint questions Rahul Gandhi’s Rae Bareli nomination for ‘being British citizen’ IMD has also issued a yellow alert for 12 out of 14 districts in Kerala as the high temperature and humidity might persist till May 6. According to the met office, the maximum temperatures will be around 39 degrees Celsius in Palakkad, around 38 degrees Celsius in Kollam, Thrissur, and Kozhikode, around 37 degrees Celsius in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Kannur districts and around 36 degrees Celsius in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts till Monday. EC Extends Polling Hours The Election Commission has extended polling hours in several assembly segments of Telangana for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on May 13 due to the heatwave-like conditions in the state. The polling hours will now be between 7 am and 6 pm. The scorching heat has also pushed political parties into conducting door-to-door campaigns and public rallies during the early morning or evening hours. The record-smashing maximum temperatures in April in east, northeast, and south peninsular India prompted health warnings from government agencies and some states to suspend in-person classes in schools. Several cities also recorded their highest-ever April day temperatures. Rainfall Predictions According to the India Meteorological Department, several places in southern Bengal might witness thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds from May 5. The maximum temperature in the state will fall by two to three degrees Celsius during the next four to five days. The weather office has advised fishermen not to enter the Bay of Bengal between May 6 and May 7. The met department has also predicted "heavy" to "very heavy" rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds over northeast India on May 5. (With inputs from agencies)

India Weather Updates: Heatwave to persist in THESE states; ECI adjusts polling hours in Telangana due to heat

Rohingya refugees living in a camp in south-eastern Bangladesh are suffering a brutal heatwave as the temperatures have soared to 42 degrees celsius. A record since 1989.

Rohingya refugees suffer brutal heatwave

A government school in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh came up with a creative solution to tackle an intense heat wave that took a great toll on students’ attendance.

A school in UP’s Kannauj turned an entire classroom into a temporary swimming pool to encourage students to come to school daily.&nbsp;

A video shared by All India Radio shows students swimming in the water inside the classroom, which went instantly viral on social media.

"Teachers of Kannauj district primary school Mahsaunapur Umarda prepared an artificial swimming room in the classroom on children's demand which was enjoyed by them thoroughly," the post on X read.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
🚨 A classroom in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj government primary school was turned into a swimming pool for students, to maintain attendance of students who were missing on school due to crop harvest and heat wave. <a href="https://t.co/LnbezMQNrn">pic.twitter.com/LnbezMQNrn</a>
— Indian Tech &amp; Infra (@IndianTechGuide) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianTechGuide/status/1785533428412420162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

According to media reports, the makeshift pool was made by removing all benches, chairs and tables from the classroom and filling it with water.

<h2>Heatwave menace in India</h2>

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, north Indian states are reeling under an intense heat wave spell that is expected to last for 8-10 days.

Regions like south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and Gujarat are most likely to be affected in May.

The remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka and Telangana may record five-seven heat wave days in the month, the weather department said.

<h2>Response on social media</h2>

The video garnered mixed response on social media, with some lauding school authorities for the efforts while others criticising the government for not allowing them to visit an actual swimming pool.

"I soooooo wanna go to this school," wrote one user while another said, "Great effort by teachers! Kudos to their efforts," wrote a user on social media.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiOl7331uyFAxXN4jgGHct1AeEQxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/delta-airlines-boeings-emergency-exit-slide-detaches-mid-air-report-says-715633" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/delta-airlines-boeings-emergency-exit-slide-detaches-mid-air-report-says-715633&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiOl7331uyFAxXN4jgGHct1AeEQxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE">Delta Airlines Boeing plane`s emergency exit slide detaches mid-air: Report</a>

“Wow..such a nice gesture..i remember when I was small I used to make swimming pool in my bathroom by blocking the door with towels," wrote another.

“So the state couldn't afford to take them to show actual swimming pool....instead they created this mockery...How poor govt becomes when it comes to giving a little privelage to govt school kids," an Instagram user slammed the government.

(With inputs from agencies)

A government school in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh came up with a creative solution to tackle an intense heat wave that took a great toll on students’ attendance.

A government school in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh came up with a creative solution to tackle an intense heat wave that took a great toll on students’ attendance. A school in UP’s Kannauj turned an entire classroom into a temporary swimming pool to encourage students to come to school daily. A video shared by All India Radio shows students swimming in the water inside the classroom, which went instantly viral on social media. "Teachers of Kannauj district primary school Mahsaunapur Umarda prepared an artificial swimming room in the classroom on children's demand which was enjoyed by them thoroughly," the post on X read. 🚨 A classroom in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj government primary school was turned into a swimming pool for students, to maintain attendance of students who were missing on school due to crop harvest and heat wave. pic.twitter.com/LnbezMQNrn — Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) May 1, 2024 × According to media reports, the makeshift pool was made by removing all benches, chairs and tables from the classroom and filling it with water. Heatwave menace in India According to the Indian Meteorological Department, north Indian states are reeling under an intense heat wave spell that is expected to last for 8-10 days. Regions like south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and Gujarat are most likely to be affected in May. The remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka and Telangana may record five-seven heat wave days in the month, the weather department said. Response on social media The video garnered mixed response on social media, with some lauding school authorities for the efforts while others criticising the government for not allowing them to visit an actual swimming pool. "I soooooo wanna go to this school," wrote one user while another said, "Great effort by teachers! Kudos to their efforts," wrote a user on social media. Also read: Delta Airlines Boeing plane`s emergency exit slide detaches mid-air: Report “Wow..such a nice gesture..i remember when I was small I used to make swimming pool in my bathroom by blocking the door with towels," wrote another. “So the state couldn't afford to take them to show actual swimming pool....instead they created this mockery...How poor govt becomes when it comes to giving a little privelage to govt school kids," an Instagram user slammed the government. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Indian school turns classroom into swimming pool to beat the heat

Hong Kong experienced its warmest April on record last month, with an average day temperature of 26.4 degrees Celsius, according to the city's weather observatory. This marks the highest temperature recorded for April in the 140 years since meteorological records began&nbsp;in 1884.

"Summer is not yet here but April was already record-breakingly hot," the observatory announced on social media.

Observatory data revealed&nbsp;that Hong Kong, a subtropical Chinese city, has been grappling with increasingly extreme heat in recent years, witnessing many&nbsp;high-temperature records, both daily and monthly, since 2019.

On April 27, the city set new daily temperature records for April, with the highest daily maximum reaching 28.8 degrees Celsius and the highest daily low at 27.7 degrees Celsius. This is a significant departure from the average daily temperature range of 21.1 to 25.6 degrees Celsius observed between 1991 and 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hong-kong-launches-asias-1st-bitcoin-ether-etfs-pioneering-virtual-asset-investment-716507">Also read |&nbsp;Hong Kong launches Asia's 1st Bitcoin, Ether ETFs, pioneering virtual asset investment</a>

The unusually warm April followed an exceptionally warm winter from December to February and a much warmer than usual March. The observatory forecasts above-normal temperatures throughout 2024.

In response to the rising temperatures, Hong Kong's labour department updated its heat stress warning system, now linked to the observatory's hot weather alerts. It has also doubled the minimum duration of a heat advisory from 30 minutes to one hour, mandating rest periods or work suspension based on temperature levels and job types.

Despite reports of fatalities due to heatstroke at work, Hong Kong has not classified heatstroke as a work-related injury in its laws. The labour department introduced its heat stress warning system last year; however, critics argue that its warning thresholds are too high and lack legal accountability for non-compliant employers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-villagers-stage-doraemon-parade-to-appease-rain-gods-in-sweltering-heat-watch-717403">Also read |&nbsp;Thai villagers stage 'Doraemon parade' to appease rain gods in sweltering heat</a>

Scientists globally warn that human-induced climate change will lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, posing significant challenges for societies worldwide.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong experienced its warmest April on record last month, with an average day temperature of 26.4 degrees Celsius, according to the city's weather observatory.

Hong Kong experienced its warmest April on record last month, with an average day temperature of 26.4 degrees Celsius, according to the city's weather observatory. This marks the highest temperature recorded for April in the 140 years since meteorological records began in 1884. "Summer is not yet here but April was already record-breakingly hot," the observatory announced on social media. Observatory data revealed that Hong Kong, a subtropical Chinese city, has been grappling with increasingly extreme heat in recent years, witnessing many high-temperature records, both daily and monthly, since 2019. On April 27, the city set new daily temperature records for April, with the highest daily maximum reaching 28.8 degrees Celsius and the highest daily low at 27.7 degrees Celsius. This is a significant departure from the average daily temperature range of 21.1 to 25.6 degrees Celsius observed between 1991 and 2020. Also read | Hong Kong launches Asia's 1st Bitcoin, Ether ETFs, pioneering virtual asset investment The unusually warm April followed an exceptionally warm winter from December to February and a much warmer than usual March. The observatory forecasts above-normal temperatures throughout 2024. In response to the rising temperatures, Hong Kong's labour department updated its heat stress warning system, now linked to the observatory's hot weather alerts. It has also doubled the minimum duration of a heat advisory from 30 minutes to one hour, mandating rest periods or work suspension based on temperature levels and job types. Despite reports of fatalities due to heatstroke at work, Hong Kong has not classified heatstroke as a work-related injury in its laws. The labour department introduced its heat stress warning system last year; however, critics argue that its warning thresholds are too high and lack legal accountability for non-compliant employers. Also read | Thai villagers stage 'Doraemon parade' to appease rain gods in sweltering heat Scientists globally warn that human-induced climate change will lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, posing significant challenges for societies worldwide. (With inputs from agencies)

Record-breaking heatwave: Hong Kong experiences hottest April in 140 years

In recent weeks, Thailand has been dealing with&nbsp;sweltering conditions as temperatures soar&nbsp;across the region. Experts attribute this trend to climate change, which is causing heatwaves to become more frequent, prolonged, and intense.

In Nakhon Sawan province, located in central Thailand, the absence of rain for months has led villagers in Phayuha Khiri District to resort to a unique ritual to break the drought.

Traditionally known as "Hae Nang Meaw," or the parading of a female cat, villagers have opted to parade&nbsp;Japanese manga cat Doraemon or HelloKitty dolls instead.

Watch the video here:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
With no rain in many areas of Thailand and a record breaking heatwave, a rain-making ceremony was held.Traditionally, a real cat would be used, but it seems the locals decided on Doraemon instead. 
They are sacrificing a doremon for rain...i don't know if I shud laugh or cry😂😭 <a href="https://t.co/ScZYq9jxbP">pic.twitter.com/ScZYq9jxbP</a>
— 🕊️Roots (@auroora_15242) <a href="https://twitter.com/auroora_15242/status/1785696376392941728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

These parades involve sparkly dressed participants carrying a tinsel-decked cage containing the stuffed toy through the village, while onlookers sprinkle it with water.

The ritual stems from the belief that cats, known for their aversion to water, have the power to summon rainfall with their meows after being drenched.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soaring-temperatures-prompt-suspension-of-classes-in-philippines-714690">Also read |&nbsp;Soaring temperatures prompt suspension of classes in Philippines</a>

Meanwhile, in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the scorching heat caused railway tracks to buckle. With temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit), railway workers had to douse the rails with water to bend them back into shape.

The State Railway of Thailand attributed the track warping to the "extreme heat" experienced between Ron Phibun and Khao Chum Thong on April 30. Hour-long dousing with water and ice made the&nbsp;tracks&nbsp;usable again.

<h2>Mitigation efforts&nbsp;</h2>

Deputy state railway governor Jaray Rungthani who spoke to&nbsp;AFP stressed on&nbsp;the need for vigilance as temperatures remained high. He assured that railway station managers would assist passengers and handle the heatwave situation based on forecasts.

The heatwave has not only affected&nbsp;Thailand but&nbsp;extended&nbsp;across the region, from Bangladesh to the Philippines.

This exceptional warmth is partly attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and underscores the accelerated warming trend in Asia compared to the global average, as highlighted by the UN's World Meteorological Organisation.

Also watch |&nbsp;Heatwave sweeps across Asia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/heatwave-sweeps-across-asia-716195/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As energy grids strain and schools close, the impact of such heatwaves on communities is significant and calls for proactive measures to mitigate their effects.

(With inputs from agencies)

In recent weeks, Thailand has been dealing with sweltering conditions as temperatures soar across the region. Experts attribute this trend to climate change, which is causing heatwaves to become more frequent, prolonged, and intense.

In recent weeks, Thailand has been dealing with sweltering conditions as temperatures soar across the region. Experts attribute this trend to climate change, which is causing heatwaves to become more frequent, prolonged, and intense. In Nakhon Sawan province, located in central Thailand, the absence of rain for months has led villagers in Phayuha Khiri District to resort to a unique ritual to break the drought. Traditionally known as "Hae Nang Meaw," or the parading of a female cat, villagers have opted to parade Japanese manga cat Doraemon or HelloKitty dolls instead. Watch the video here: With no rain in many areas of Thailand and a record breaking heatwave, a rain-making ceremony was held.Traditionally, a real cat would be used, but it seems the locals decided on Doraemon instead. They are sacrificing a doremon for rain...i don't know if I shud laugh or cry😂😭 pic.twitter.com/ScZYq9jxbP — 🕊️Roots (@auroora_15242) May 1, 2024 × These parades involve sparkly dressed participants carrying a tinsel-decked cage containing the stuffed toy through the village, while onlookers sprinkle it with water. The ritual stems from the belief that cats, known for their aversion to water, have the power to summon rainfall with their meows after being drenched. Also read | Soaring temperatures prompt suspension of classes in Philippines Meanwhile, in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the scorching heat caused railway tracks to buckle. With temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit), railway workers had to douse the rails with water to bend them back into shape. The State Railway of Thailand attributed the track warping to the "extreme heat" experienced between Ron Phibun and Khao Chum Thong on April 30. Hour-long dousing with water and ice made the tracks usable again. Mitigation efforts Deputy state railway governor Jaray Rungthani who spoke to AFP stressed on the need for vigilance as temperatures remained high. He assured that railway station managers would assist passengers and handle the heatwave situation based on forecasts. The heatwave has not only affected Thailand but extended across the region, from Bangladesh to the Philippines. This exceptional warmth is partly attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and underscores the accelerated warming trend in Asia compared to the global average, as highlighted by the UN's World Meteorological Organisation. Also watch | Heatwave sweeps across Asia As energy grids strain and schools close, the impact of such heatwaves on communities is significant and calls for proactive measures to mitigate their effects. (With inputs from agencies)

Thai villagers stage 'Doraemon parade' to appease rain gods in sweltering heat: WATCH

Rajnath Singh, the head of the BJP and the defense minister, stated on Monday that one of the main causes of the poor voter turnout in the current Lok Sabha elections is the heatwave.

India elections 2024: Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh blames heatwave for low voter turnout in polls

Amid a scorching heatwave in the Philippines, a zoo is providing tigers with frozen treats made&nbsp;from animal blood and is restricting lion mating during the hottest hours of the day. Manila has experienced record-high temperatures, compelling&nbsp;schools nationwide to suspend in-person classes. As residents seek refuge in air-conditioned malls and pools, animals at Manila Zoo are also seeking relief from the extreme heat.

Ensuring the prevention of heatstroke, especially among the large cats, was the primary concern, according to zoo veterinarian Dave Vinas in an interview with AFP on Tuesday, as temperatures soared to 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in the city.

To reduce temperatures inside the concrete enclosures, water is continuously splashed on the walls and ground throughout the day.

Frozen treats, dubbed "bloodsicles," consisting of frozen ground beef or chicken mixed with animal blood and vitamins, are provided for the big cats to lick.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-stunned-as-chinese-sleeper-cells-take-over-sensitive-security-zone-713942">Also read |&nbsp;Philippines stunned as Chinese ‘sleeper cells’ take over sensitive security zone</a>

Additionally, tigers and lions receive regular sprays of water and have access to pools within their enclosures to cool off.

Wendell, a five-year-old Bengal tiger weighing nearly 400 kilogrammes (882 pounds), continuously pants while spending hours submerged in a shallow pool.

Water is also poured in&nbsp;the enclosures housing snakes and turtles to help regulate their body temperature.

While providing ice treats and baths during the warmer months of March, April, and May is routine.&nbsp;

<h2>El Nino weather phenomenon</h2>

The El Niño weather pattern is being attributed to the intense heat and extreme weather conditions in the region.

During the typical high-temperature months of March, April, and May, the archipelago saw the heat index reach the "danger" level of 42°C (108°F).

State meteorologists anticipated even higher temperatures in at least 30 cities and municipalities on Wednesday.

Also watch |&nbsp;The Philippines becomes Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economy

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-philippines-becomes-southeast-asias-fastest-growing-economy-686806/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Philippine Department of Education reported that nearly 6,700 schools suspended in-person classes on Wednesday, April 24th.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid a scorching heatwave in the Philippines, a zoo is providing tigers with frozen treats made from animal blood and is restricting lion mating during the hottest hours of the day.

Amid a scorching heatwave in the Philippines, a zoo is providing tigers with frozen treats made from animal blood and is restricting lion mating during the hottest hours of the day. Manila has experienced record-high temperatures, compelling schools nationwide to suspend in-person classes. As residents seek refuge in air-conditioned malls and pools, animals at Manila Zoo are also seeking relief from the extreme heat. Ensuring the prevention of heatstroke, especially among the large cats, was the primary concern, according to zoo veterinarian Dave Vinas in an interview with AFP on Tuesday, as temperatures soared to 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in the city. To reduce temperatures inside the concrete enclosures, water is continuously splashed on the walls and ground throughout the day. Frozen treats, dubbed "bloodsicles," consisting of frozen ground beef or chicken mixed with animal blood and vitamins, are provided for the big cats to lick. Also read | Philippines stunned as Chinese ‘sleeper cells’ take over sensitive security zone Additionally, tigers and lions receive regular sprays of water and have access to pools within their enclosures to cool off. Wendell, a five-year-old Bengal tiger weighing nearly 400 kilogrammes (882 pounds), continuously pants while spending hours submerged in a shallow pool. Water is also poured in the enclosures housing snakes and turtles to help regulate their body temperature. While providing ice treats and baths during the warmer months of March, April, and May is routine. El Nino weather phenomenon The El Niño weather pattern is being attributed to the intense heat and extreme weather conditions in the region. During the typical high-temperature months of March, April, and May, the archipelago saw the heat index reach the "danger" level of 42°C (108°F). State meteorologists anticipated even higher temperatures in at least 30 cities and municipalities on Wednesday. Also watch | The Philippines becomes Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economy The Philippine Department of Education reported that nearly 6,700 schools suspended in-person classes on Wednesday, April 24th. (With inputs from agencies)

Beating the heat: Lions and tigers cool off with ‘bloodsicles’ at Philippine zoo

While Jammu and Kashmir witnessed continuous rainfall for the last three days, resulting in flash floods, IMD has issued a red alert for four states due to the extreme heatwave, as temperatures have crossed 45 degrees Celsius.

While Jammu and Kashmir witnessed continuous rainfall for the last three days, resulting in flash floods, IMD has issued a red alert for four states due to the extreme heatwave, as temperatures have crossed 45 degrees Celsius. Red Alert Issued For Four States Due To Heatwave The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha for two to three days. The weather office has also issued health warnings as several parts of the country are already under intense heat. IMD has also issued an orange alert for Telangana, Karnataka, and Sikkim. Kalaikunda and Kandala in Andhra Pradesh recorded a maximum temperature of 45.4 degrees Celsius, eight notches above normal. AP's Nandyal also recorded a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Odisha's Baripada recorded the third-highest temperature in the country on Monday, followed by Bihar's Sheikhpura. IMD said the area under red alert could "develop heat illness and heatstroke" and advised people to take "extreme precautions." ALSO READ | License of 14 Patanjali products cancelled, criminal complaint filed against Ramdev, Uttarakhand govt tells SC Furthermore, Assam, Tripura, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa, Kerala and Karnataka might witness high humidity in the next five days. The weather office added that the country might witness 10 to 20 heatwave days against the usual of four to eight in April-June. The areas and regions predicted to witness a higher number of heatwave days are Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Marathwada, Bihar and Jharkhand. Moreover, some places might experience over 20 heatwave days. Heavy Rainfall In Jammu & Kashmir The government of Jammu and Kashmir has announced the closure of all schools due to the rains in the Kashmir Division. According to the disaster management team, Jhelum has been flowing very close to the danger level in Srinagar's Ram Munshi Bagh area at around 18.22 ft. IMD said that the weather will improve from Tuesday afternoon and remain dry until May 5. Chances Of Rain In Delhi According to IMD, Delhi-NCR will witness strong surface winds during the daytime on April 30 and May 1. While the weather will be relatively pleasant on May 2 and 3, with the maximum temperature not going above 38 degrees Celsius, there are chances of thunderstorms with rain on May 4 in Delhi-NCR. (With inputs from agencies)

India Weather: Red alert issued for four states due to heatwave, rainfall in J&K, strong winds in Delhi & more

A two judge bench of the high court passed an order to close schools because of the heatwave. All primary schools across the country and educational institutions in almost half of the districts including the capital, will remain closed.

Bangladesh reeling under heatwave

South and Southeast Asia are bracing for more extreme heat, as authorities across the region issued health warnings and residents made their way to parks and air-conditioned malls for relief.

Asia swelters under record heatwave | Cambodia, Myanmar & Bangladesh warn temp could exceed 45°C

As the summer season has fully arrived in India, many Indian states are facing severe heat wave conditions, with many places recording temperatures as high as 45.

As the summer season has fully arrived in India, many Indian states are facing severe heat wave conditions, with many places recording temperatures as high as 45.6 degrees Celsius. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as heatwave grips the country, there is no sign of relief for most states. On Monday, the weather department said eastern and southern regions of India will witness heatwaves for another five days. Many places in Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand will experience 'heatwave' to 'severe heatwave' conditions until May 2, said IMD. It added that parts of Rayalaseema, interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh might also experience heatwaves until May 3; Telangana from April 29 to May 1, Konkan on April 29 and the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh from April 29 to 30. On Monday, the maximum temperatures could range between 42 to 45 degrees Celsius in some regions of Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, 40 to 42 degrees Celsius in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, central Maharastra, Saurashtra and Kutch, IMD reported. The temperatures are four to eight degrees Celsius above normal in many parts of Gangetic West Bengal, parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and isolated parts of Odisha. ALSO READ | Heavy rains lash Jammu and Kashmir, highways closed for traffic While Odisha has been experiencing heat wave since April 15, the harsh weather struck Gangetic West Bengal on April 17. The weather office has also predicted hot and humid weather in West Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura on April 29, Telangana on May 2, Konkan and Goa from April 30 to May 1, and Kerala and coastal Karnataka until May 3. Many Indian cities are also experiencing higher night temperatures because of the urban heat-island effect. At the start of April, IMD forecasted a harsh and arid summer over most parts of the country in April-June. This heat wave might last for ten to 20 days. A cyclonic circulation over east Afghanistan and another over northwest Rajasthan may cause scattered rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh on April 29. Moreover, there are chances of hailstorms over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and heavy rainfall in Jammu, Kashmir and Muzaffarabad. Assam's cyclonic circulation may cause rainfall or snowfall in Arunachal Pradesh. Rainfall is expected in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during April 29 and May 3. Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning & gusty winds is likely over Sikkim until Wednesday and over Arunachal Pradesh for the next six days. (With inputs from agencies)

India Weather: No relief from heatwave for THESE states; Check full forecast

Watch the top headlines of the hour: - Myanmar hits record 48.2°C - Blinken in Saudi for talks on Gaza - Israel-Lebanon border heats up - Xi on Europe tour from May 5-10 - UK to start detaining Asylum seekers - At least 43 killed in Kenya Dam Burst

Kenya Dam Bursts: At least 43 killed in Central Kenya | Myanmar hits record 48.2°

Heatwave sweeps across Asia

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ (heatwave) for Odisha and West Bengal, an ‘orange alert’ for Bihar and Jharkhand, and a ‘yellow alert’ for eastern Uttar Pradesh and northern parts of Kerala in the wake of the severe heatwave conditions prevailing in several states.

India's MET department issues 'red alert' for Odisha, West Bengal

Watch the top headlines of the hour: - Intense heat wave in South, South east Asia - Russia, Ukraine carry out strikes - Israel-Hezbollah tensions at new peak - Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal push

Intense heat wave in South, South east Asia | Russia, Ukraine carry out strikes

In the second phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, 89 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories are voting on Friday (April 26). However, parts of some states might face a heatwave, affecting voter turnout.

In the second phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, 89 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories are voting on Friday (April 26). However, parts of some states might face a heatwave, affecting voter turnout. During the first phase, 102 Lok Sabha seats across 21 states and Union Territories votes on April 19. A dip of 4.4 per cent was recorded in these seats, as the voter turnout was 65.5 per cent this year, down from 69.9 per cent in general elections 2019. The extreme heat is being speculated to be the reason behind the decline in voter count. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Constituencies Going To Polls In Second Phase Here's the list of Lok Sabha constituencies that will vote in the second phase of the general elections 2024: Assam: Karimganj, Silchar, Mangaldoi, Nawgong, Kaliabor Bihar: Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnea, Bhagalpur Chhattisgarh: Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund, Kanker Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu Karnataka: Udupi Chikamagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikballapur, Kolar Kerala: Kasaragod, Kannur, Vatakara, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ponnani, Palakkad, Alathur, Thrissur, Chalakudy, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Mavelikkara, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram Manipur: Outer Manipur Madhya Pradesh: Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, Narmadapuram, Betul Maharashtra: Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal Washim, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani Rajasthan: Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota, Jhalawar-Baran Tripura: Tripura East Uttar Pradesh: Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura West Bengal: Darjeeling, Raiganj, Balurghat ALSO READ | 'Four more years, pause': Biden reads instructions from teleprompter in latest speech gaffe Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2: Will heatwave affect voter turnout? IMD has issued a heatwave warning for parts of four states going to polls in the second phase - West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Konkan, Goa, Coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe will have hot and humid temperatures. IMD states, "Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions likely to prevail in some pockets over Gangetic West Bengal and in isolated pockets over Odisha; heatwave conditions in isolated pockets over Uttar Pradesh, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema, Telangana and interior Karnataka." Dr Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist at IMD, told NDTV that the weather office issued a red alert for West Bengal for the next three days. "Temperatures in Bihar will exceed 40 degrees Celsius. A heatwave is expected in eastern Uttar Pradesh after 24 hours and in western Uttar Pradesh after two days. The temperature will remain hot and humid in Kerala too," he said. As per the IMD, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, and north Karnataka are the most vulnerable to heatwaves, followed by Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. On Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) formed a task force consisting of officials from the IMD, the poll body, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to assess the impact of heatwave and humidity five days before each phase of polling. According to a press release by the ECI, the poll body has asked the health ministry to issue "necessary instructions to health authorities in states to prepare for and extend assistance in case of heatwave conditions affecting election operations." (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Heatwave warning issued in many states going to polls in second phase

India's Met Department has said that severe heatwave conditions will continue in several states through the weekend. The heatwave warning comes as voting is underway across several Indian states for the second phase of the general elections...

Heat waves sear as Indians go to vote

Scorching heat prompted school closures in Bangladesh and forced nearly 33 million children out of their classes as parts of the country experienced temperatures surpassing 42C (108F).

This came after classes in the Philippines and India were suspended amid searing temperatures across the region.

Amid the soaring temperatures, thousands of Bangladeshis on Wednesday (Apr 24) gathered to pray for rain.

"Praying for rains is a tradition of our prophet. We repented for our sins and prayed for his blessings for rains," Muhammad Abu Yusuf, an Islamic cleric who led a morning prayer service for 1,000 people in central Dhaka, told AFP.

"Life has become unbearable due to lack of rain," he said. "Poor people are suffering immensely."

As per Bangladesh's weather bureau, average maximum temperatures across Dhaka over the past week rose by over 4-5 degrees (7.2-9 degrees Fahrenheit) Celsius&nbsp;as compared to the 30-year average for the same period.

Authorities had last week ordered&nbsp;schools to suspend classes until the end of the month.

The United Nations children's agency released a statement saying that it was "urging parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated and safe" through the heatwave.

"The severity of this heatwave underscores the urgent need for action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change," UNICEF said in a statement.

Across Bangladesh, the temperatures have shot up to over 42C (108F) in the past week.

"April is usually the hottest month in Bangladesh. But this April has been one of the hottest since the country's independence (in 1971)," government forecaster Tariful Newaz Kabir told AFP.

"We expect the high temperature will remain until the end of this month," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-sharif-is-ashamed-as-bangladesh-edges-pakistan-in-economic-growth-714891">Shehbaz Sharif is 'ashamed' as Bangladesh edges Pakistan in economic growth</a>

<h2>Soaring temperatures prompt suspension of classes in Philippines</h2>

Earlier, the Philippines witnessed the suspension of classes due to a heatwave that swept across the region.

The extreme weather conditions also triggered heatwave warnings in Thailand's capital Bangkok.

"It's so hot you can't breathe," news agency AFP quoted Erlin Tumaron, 60, who works at a Philippine seaside resort in Cavite province, south of Manila, as saying.

The heat index reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday (Apr 23) in the region.&nbsp;

"It's surprising our pools are still empty. You would expect people to come and take a swim, but it seems they're reluctant to leave their homes because of the heat."

<h2>El Nino weather phenomenon</h2>

El Nino weather phenomenon is being considered responsible for the scorching heat and severe weather conditions across the region.

The archipelago, which usually experiences high temperatures during the months of March, April and May, recorded the heat index at the "danger" level of 42C (108F).

It was expected to go even higher in at least 30 cities and municipalities on Wednesday, said the state weather forecaster.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scorching heat prompted school closures in Bangladesh and forced nearly 33 million children out of their classes as parts of the country experienced temperatures surpassing 42C (108F).

Scorching heat prompted school closures in Bangladesh and forced nearly 33 million children out of their classes as parts of the country experienced temperatures surpassing 42C (108F). This came after classes in the Philippines and India were suspended amid searing temperatures across the region. Amid the soaring temperatures, thousands of Bangladeshis on Wednesday (Apr 24) gathered to pray for rain. "Praying for rains is a tradition of our prophet. We repented for our sins and prayed for his blessings for rains," Muhammad Abu Yusuf, an Islamic cleric who led a morning prayer service for 1,000 people in central Dhaka, told AFP. "Life has become unbearable due to lack of rain," he said. "Poor people are suffering immensely." As per Bangladesh's weather bureau, average maximum temperatures across Dhaka over the past week rose by over 4-5 degrees (7.2-9 degrees Fahrenheit) Celsius as compared to the 30-year average for the same period. Authorities had last week ordered schools to suspend classes until the end of the month. The United Nations children's agency released a statement saying that it was "urging parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated and safe" through the heatwave. "The severity of this heatwave underscores the urgent need for action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change," UNICEF said in a statement. Across Bangladesh, the temperatures have shot up to over 42C (108F) in the past week. "April is usually the hottest month in Bangladesh. But this April has been one of the hottest since the country's independence (in 1971)," government forecaster Tariful Newaz Kabir told AFP. "We expect the high temperature will remain until the end of this month," he said. Also read: Shehbaz Sharif is 'ashamed' as Bangladesh edges Pakistan in economic growth Soaring temperatures prompt suspension of classes in Philippines Earlier, the Philippines witnessed the suspension of classes due to a heatwave that swept across the region. The extreme weather conditions also triggered heatwave warnings in Thailand's capital Bangkok. "It's so hot you can't breathe," news agency AFP quoted Erlin Tumaron, 60, who works at a Philippine seaside resort in Cavite province, south of Manila, as saying. The heat index reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday (Apr 23) in the region. "It's surprising our pools are still empty. You would expect people to come and take a swim, but it seems they're reluctant to leave their homes because of the heat." El Nino weather phenomenon El Nino weather phenomenon is being considered responsible for the scorching heat and severe weather conditions across the region. The archipelago, which usually experiences high temperatures during the months of March, April and May, recorded the heat index at the "danger" level of 42C (108F). It was expected to go even higher in at least 30 cities and municipalities on Wednesday, said the state weather forecaster. (With inputs from agencies)

Scorching heat prompts school closures in Bangladesh

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted severe heatwave conditions to continue over East and South Peninsular India for five days. Watch to know more.

Heatwave alert in Asia: Sweltering heat across South, Southeast Asia

Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered to pray for rain on Wednesday in the middle of an extreme heatwave that prompted authorities to shut down schools around the country.

Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered to pray for rain on Wednesday in the middle of an extreme heatwave that prompted authorities to shut down schools around the country. Extensive scientific research has found climate change is causing heat waves to become longer, more frequent, and more intense. Bangladesh's weather bureau says that average maximum temperatures in the capital Dhaka over the past week have been 4-5 degrees Celsius (7.2-9 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the 30-year average for the same period. Muslim worshippers gathered in city mosques and rural fields to pray for relief from the scorching heat, which forecasters expect to continue for at least another week. "Praying for rains is a tradition of our prophet. We repented for our sins and prayed for his blessings for rains," Muhammad Abu Yusuf, an Islamic cleric who led a morning prayer service for 1,000 people in central Dhaka, told AFP. "Life has become unbearable due to lack of rains," he said. "Poor people are suffering immensely." Police said similarly sized prayer services were held in several other parts of Bangladesh. The country's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, issued a statement calling its members to join the prayer services planned for Wednesday and Thursday. Authorities ordered all schools last week to cancel classes until the end of the month. The UN children's agency said it was "urging parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated and safe" through the heatwave. "The severity of this heatwave underscores the urgent need for action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change," UNICEF said in a statement. Temperatures across Bangladesh have reached more than 42C (108F) in the past week. "April is usually the hottest month in Bangladesh. But this April has been one of the hottest since the country's independence (in 1971)," government forecaster Tariful Newaz Kabir told AFP. Kabir said fewer rainstorms than average for the period had contributed to the heat. "We expect the high temperature will remain until the end of this month," he said. Hospitals in the southern coastal district of Patuakhali had recorded local outbreaks of diarrhoea due to higher temperatures and the resulting increased salinity of local water sources, state medical officer Bhupen Chandra Mondal told AFP. "The number of diarrhoea patients is very high this year," he said. "This is all linked to climate change."

Thousands in heatwave-hit Bangladesh pray for rain

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for Maharashtra's Thane, Raigad districts and parts of Mumbai from April 27 to 29. The temperatures are likely to peak on April 27 and 28. Watch in for more details!

IMD forecasts intense heatwave conditions in many Indian states

Temperatures in Bangladesh have touched 43° C the scorching rise in heat comes amid a week-long heatwave. That is sweeping through the country, and authorities issued a nationwide Heatwave alert on Monday.

Bangladesh: Outdoor workers under heatwave threat

The World Meteorological Organization has stated that Asia was the world's most disaster-hit region by climate-related hazards last year. The body has also underlined that floods and storms caused the highest number of casualties.

Asia is world's disaster capital: Report

Extreme temperatures are being reported across Africa's Sahel region. Many of the Sahel countries are facing power cuts during the heat episode, making it especially difficult for the population to cope with the extreme temperatures.

Extreme heatwave recorded across Africa's Sahel region

Europe is the world's fastest warming continent and its temperatures are rising at roughly twice the global average this is the finding of a new report by the United Nations Meteorological Organization and the EU's climate agency. Watch in for more details!

Europe the fastest warming continent, temperature rising at twice the global average says Report

The Indian Met Department has issued a heat wave warning for multiple States as temperatures continue to rise in eastern India. The weather Department had recorded a temperature rise of 4 to 6° C above normal in Northern, Southern and Eastern states over the last week.

India sears in heatwave, Weather department issues warning

According to a research by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), released on Thursday (April 18), "human-induced" climate change caused the heatwave that swept over Africa's Sahel area in early April and claimed multiple lives.

According to a research by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), released on Thursday (April 18), "human-induced" climate change caused the heatwave that swept over Africa's Sahel area in early April and claimed multiple lives. Human-induced heatwave From April 1 to April 5, the West African countries of Mali and Burkina Faso experienced a heatwave that resulted in several deaths due to temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius. Researchers at the WWA found that "heatwaves with the magnitude observed in March and April 2024 in the region would have been impossible to occur without the global warming of 1.2C to date" and connected this finding to "human-induced climate change" based on observations and climate models. “Even minimum temperatures, overnight, remained relatively high, making it so that people did not get a break from the heat,” the study added. Once-in-a-200-year event According to the paper, the Sahel experiences high temperatures frequently during this time of year, but the heatwave in April would have been 1.4C colder "if humans had not warmed the planet by burning fossil fuels". Although the five days of intense heat were a once-in-a-200-year happening, "these trends will continue with future warming". Also read: Climate change could lead to losses worth $38 trillion every year by 2050, study warns Even though the people of the two nations were accustomed to high temperatures, the duration and intensity of the heat caused a rise in hospital admissions and casualties, according to the WWA. A lack of data in the affected countries made it impossible to know the exact number of deaths, the WWA said, adding there were likely hundreds, if not thousands, of other heat-related casualties. Countries in the Sahel region have had to contend with drought since the 1970s, as well as periods of intense rainfall from the 1990s.

'Human-induced' climate change sparked deadly heatwave in West Africa: Study

Indian PM Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on Thursday to evaluate the nation's preparedness for potential heat wave conditions expected in the upcoming summer months. Watch in for more details!

Indian PM Modi chairs review meeting on preparedness for heatwave conditions

Here we bring to you WION's climate tracker that showcases climate stories from across the globe: Venezuela is battling a record number of wildfires as a climate change driven drought plagues the Amazon rainforest region. Watch in for more details!

India: Elections could heighten public vulnerability to heatwaves: IMD

India is likely to experience more heat-wave days than normal between April and June, the weather office said on Monday (April 01), potentially hitting agricultural production and hampering government efforts to bring down food inflation.

Will India witness record-breaking heatwaves this summer?

heatwave

Heatwave, News on Heatwave, stories on Heatwave, articles on Heatwave, Heatwave stories at Wion, Heatwave news, Heatwave latest news