Crossing 45°C in Rajasthan, prediction of increase

way2barak, May 27: The situation in Rajasthan due to the persisting heatwave remained dire on Sunday, with at least eight cities crossing the 45°C-mark and the India Meteorological Department predicting a further rise of 1-2°C over the next 48 hours.

“The ongoing severe heatwave and warm nights are likely to continue for the next three days in the state,” the Met department forecast on Sunday.

“From May 29, there is a possibility of a 2-3 degree Celsius drop in the maximum temperature in some parts of the state. In the first week of June, the maximum temperature is expected to be around normal in most areas,” it said, adding that the intensity and areal coverage of the ongoing heatwave is expected to reduce from May 29.

“Between May 27 and 29, strong surface winds (storm) at speeds of 25-35 km/h are expected in some parts of the Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, and Jaipur divisions,” the department.

In the last one week, 33 people are suspected to have died due heatwave-related symptoms in the state.

The state health department, however, has said there was only one confirmed death due to heatstroke, which was reported from Ajmer. According to the health department data, a total of 2,809 cases of heat stroke have been reported in the state since March 1. There were reports of Jaisalmer hitting a maximum temperature of 55°C, but the Met department did not confirm the record. According to IMD data, the district recorded 48.5°C. Radhey Shyam Sharma, the director of the meteorological centre in Jaipur, said that the state has witnessed similar heatwave episodes in the past.