India under severe weather alert as temperatures reach ‘unbearable’ 45 degrees, monsoon rains delayed
- India’s meteorological agency warned that the blistering heat will continue for the next few days before monsoon rains bring some relief
- The southwest monsoon is slightly delayed this year and will hit in the first week of June, causing temperatures to stay high longer than usual
The Indian Meteorological Department issued a heatwave alert for seven southern and central states last week and broadened it to the capital and some northern states on Monday as sizzling temperatures breached normal levels.
It warned that blistering heat will continue for the next few days before rains bring some relief. The southwest monsoon is slightly delayed this year and will hit in the first week of June, causing temperatures to stay high longer than usual, it said.
Power cuts mean no ACs, no fans, and even no water. The scorching heat has made our lives unbearable and the lack of power is adding to our misery
As temperatures crossed 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, some parts suffered blackouts lasting more than 12 hours despite a March order for all power plants in the country run at full capacity to reduce power cuts. The heatwave in the state is likely to continue for two more days, a weather official said.
Hundreds of frustrated residents protested outside power stations near the state capital, Lucknow, and blocked roads over the weekend.
“Power cuts mean no ACs, no fans, and even no water. The scorching heat has made our lives unbearable and the lack of power is adding to our misery,” said Ramesh Gupta, a Lucknow resident. He said his wife was forced to sleep in the car over the weekend with the air conditioning on high so their 9-month-old baby would stop crying.
The searing heat forced many residents of the city to seek refuge indoors. “We have become prisoners to the relentless summer as no one wants to venture out,” said Sudhir Sehgal, a teacher.