IMD issues heatwave red alert warning for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, UP; warns of heavy rains in southern states

New Delhi: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert warning for a heatwave over Delhi and the national capital region (NCR), Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab for the next five days.

According to IMD, Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are expected over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and isolated pockets of West Uttar Pradesh till 23rd May.

“Heat wave conditions are also likely to prevail over some places of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch during the same period,” the IMD said.

Delhi experienced an intense heatwave with maximum temperatures exceeding 45°C at ten locations on Saturday. The highest recorded temperature was 46.8°C in Mungeshpur, northwest Delhi.

The weather department has also issued a red alert warning for rainfall over parts of south Peninsular India from May 19 to 22.

Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal Kerala, and Mahe regions are very likely to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy falls till 22nd May, the IMD said.

Karnataka is expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall on May 21 and 22.