City sizzles at 43 degrees Celcius
| Date :06-May-2024 |
Staff Reporter
The merciless summer heat is breaking its own records daily in Vidarbha. Akola once again became the hottest place in Maharashtra on the second consecutive day. The maximum temperature of Akola on Sunday was 44.4 degrees Celsius which was equal to that in Solapur (44.4 degrees Celsius) of Central Maharashtra. Similarly, Nagpur district, on Sunday, touched the 43.0 degrees Celsius mark, broke its own highest temperature record of this summer season. Chandrapur and Wardha districts also recorded their highest maximum temperature of the season with 44.2 degrees Celsius and 44.0 degrees Celsius respectively. Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning of severe heatwave on May 6 for Akola and Chandrapur districts whereas the maximum temperature at all other places in Vidarbha will record 1-2 degrees Celsius on the higher side.
Apart from Akola, there is a possibility of thunderstorm with lightning on May 6 in Chandrapur, Gondia, Gadchiroli and Yavatmal districts of Vidarbha. People of Vidarbha will heave a sigh of relief from May 7 onwards as the Weather Department has predicted that thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) are very likely at isolated places over Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal districts. However, the Weather Department predicted likelihood of hailstorm at isolated places over Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts which will raise trouble for farmers in that region.
On Sunday, Amravati (43.6 degrees Celsius), Bramhapuri (43.9 degrees Celsius), Gadchiroli (43.8 degrees Celsius), and Washim (43.2 degrees Celsius) crossed the heat barrier of 43 degrees. Yavatmal reported 42.5 degrees Celsius, Gondia was 41.3 degrees Celsius and Buldhana was coolest in Vidarbha with 39.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Keeping the increasing temperature in mind, the weather department also issued Dos and Don’ts during heatwave condition. Avoid heat exposure; wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose cotton clothes; cover your head, use a cloth, hat or umbrella. Simiarly, avoid dehydration, drink sufficient water, even if not thirsty; use ORS, home-made drinks to keep yourself hydrated; avoid working outside between 12 noon to 3 pm; keep animals in shade and give them plenty of water to drink; and wear protective clothing and seek indoor shelter.