By Sharanya Hrishikesh & Meryl Sebastian
BBC News, Delhi
Image source, Getty Images
Summer began early this year with high temperatures from March itself
An intense heatwave is sweeping through northern India with temperatures hitting a record 49.2C (120.5F) in parts of the capital, Delhi.
This is the fifth heatwave in the capital since March.
Officials in many parts of the country have asked people to take precautions as temperatures are set to remain high.
They warned the heat could cause health concerns for the vulnerable, including infants, the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
The states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Bihar have particularly witnessed soaring temperatures in the past few days, India’s weather department said.
It added that temperatures are likely to fall by 2-4C in some areas but there may not be any respite from intense heat.
Heat wave warnings:
Heat Wave conditions in most parts with severe heat wave conditions in many parts very likely over West Rajasthan on 14th; heat wave conditions in many parts with severe heat wave conditions in isolated pockets over the same region on 15th May. pic.twitter.com/eBzc82XUF3— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 14, 2022
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
Severe heatwaves have thrown millions of lives and livelihoods out of gear in northern India this summer.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked state chief ministers to draw up plans to mitigate the impact of extreme heat as temperatures rose faster than usual.
While heatwaves are common in India, especially in May and June, summer began early this year with high temperatures from March, when the first heatwave arrived.
Average maximum temperatures for the month were the highest in 122 years.
The Centre for Science and Environment, a think-tank, says that early heatwaves this year have affected around 15 states, including the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, usually known for its pleasant temperatures.
Image source, Getty Images
Many experts say India is now recording more intense, frequent heatwaves that are also longer in duration
Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), attributes the current heatwave to local atmospheric factors.
The major one was weak western disturbances – storms origi
