Akola emerged as the hottest place in the country after recording a blistering 46.9 degrees Celsius, as a severe heatwave swept across the Vidarbha region, officials said on Monday. Several cities in eastern Maharashtra continued to reel under extreme temperatures, with conditions expected to persist for another day.
Close on Akola’s heels, Amravati recorded 46.8 degrees Celsius, while Wardha registered 46.4 degrees Celsius. Yavatmal saw temperatures touch 46 degrees Celsius, while Nagpur and Chandrapur recorded 45.4 and 45 degrees Celsius respectively. The widespread spike in temperatures has left residents struggling to cope with the harsh weather.
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According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are likely to continue across parts of Vidarbha till Tuesday. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 45 and 46 degrees Celsius and may even touch 47 degrees Celsius in isolated pockets. Authorities have issued an ‘orange’ alert for Akola, Amravati and Wardha, while a ‘yellow’ alert has been sounded for Nagpur, Chandrapur and Yavatmal.
Weather experts attributed the intense heat to an anticyclonic circulation over Maharashtra, coupled with persistent hot and dry northwesterly winds. The absence of moisture incursion and weak western disturbances have further contributed to the prolonged heatwave.
However, some respite may be on the horizon, as the IMD has forecast a slight dip of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius after Tuesday, along with chances of rainfall and gusty winds in parts of the region.
