The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Eastern India recorded its hottest April since records began in 1901, as a severe heatwave continues to affect the region during the country’s general election, leading to at least nine fatalities. The India Meteorological Department forecasts that the high temperatures will persist into May, although the heatwave conditions are expected to gradually decrease.
The average temperature in Eastern India last month was 28.12°C (82.61°F), with climate phenomena such as El Niño contributing to the unusual heat. El Niño typically causes warmer and drier conditions in Asia. Additional factors, including fewer thunderstorms and an anti-cyclonic circulation near India’s southeastern coast, have exacerbated the situation by preventing sea breezes that could lower temperatures.
West Bengal experienced the highest number of heatwave days in April in the last 15 years, followed by Odisha. Kerala, typically cooler, has declared a rare heatwave with two confirmed deaths due to the high temperatures.
Despite the heat, central and northwestern India, which includes major wheat-producing states, were largely unscathed thanks to intermittent thundershowers. These areas usually face heatwaves during this time of the year but have seen some relief.
The weather office also predicts normal rainfall in May and anticipates that the latter half of the monsoon season in August and September could bring more rain than usual due to the La Niña climate pattern, which generally increases rainfall in India. The monsoon is crucial for India’s agriculture, providing 70% of the rainfall needed for crops and replenishing reservoirs. The forecast for above-normal monsoon rains in 2024 offers some hope following the intense heat.