- According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on May 29, 2019 heat wave conditions were in most parts with Severe Heat wave in isolated pockets over Vidarbha; heat wave in many parts with severe heat wave in isolated pockets over West Rajasthan; Heat Wave to Severe Heat Wave in isolated pockets over East Uttar Pradesh; Heat wave conditions in some parts over Marathwada, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh and in isolated pockets over northern parts of North Interior Karnataka, Madhya Maharashtra, East Rajasthan and Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi.
- The highest maximum temperature of 48°C was recorded at Chandrapur (Vidarbha) on May 29.
- Ganganagar (West Rajasthan) & Khujraho (East Madhya Pradesh) recorded the maximum temperature of 47.2°C (Annexure 3) on May 30.
What is Heat Wave?
- Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains, 37°C
or more for coastal stations and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions. - Following criteria are used to declare heat wave:
a) Based on Departure from Normal:
–Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 4.5°C to 6.4°C
–Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is >6.4°C
b) Based on Actual Maximum Temperature (for plains only)
–Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥ 45°C
Severe Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥47°C - To declare heat wave, the above criteria should be met at least in 2 stations in a Meteorological sub-division
for at least two consecutive days and it will be declared on the second day.
