Iccha Sharma, Pune
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that Pune will experience extreme heat waves, with the maximum temperature recorded in February in 147 years. According to IMD officials, the city’s temperature is expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius in the days ahead. The sudden increase in temperature has been chalked up to a shift in the direction of the wind, with hot winds from the north moving toward Maharashtra.
Officials from the IMD have advised people to take the necessary precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and other thermal illnesses. The aged and kids are highly susceptible to heat-related diseases and should avoid walking outdoors during the hottest part of the day. People should also consume plenty of fluids and spend as much time as possible in cool, shaded areas.
“Pune’s Shivajinagar on February 11 recorded 35.7 degrees Celsius, which is 4 degrees above normal and is the highest temperature of the season so far,” said Vineet Kumar, a former research scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Typhoon Research Center, Jeju National University, South Korea. Starting 11 days in February, the average maximum temperature in Pune Shivajinagar is 1.43 degrees Celsius higher than the same period last year.“
So far this month, the entire Indo-Gangetic plain in central India has experienced above-normal maximum temperatures. Temperatures are expected to rise further between February 15-20, according to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD)-Global Forecast System (GFS) forecast.
This unusually high temperature for this time of year is not limited to Pune; a few parts of Maharashtra are also beginning to experience inordinately high temperatures for this time of year. The change in atmospheric circulation has been attributed to a number of factors, such as the weakening of the western perturbation and the strengthening of the elevated system over the region, according to IMD officials.
The IMD has also alerted farmers, advising them to protect their crops and livestock during the warm spell. They have suggested that farmers avoid working in their fields during the peak hours of the day and provide adequate water and shade for their animals.
People must adhere to recommended precautionary measures during this heat wave to avoid health problems. To stay safe, the IMD has instructed individuals to remain informed about weather conditions and comply with authorities’ instructions.