No relief in sight as heat wave continues to build across northern India

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

April 18,2017, 7:30:42AM,EDT

 

 

Dangerous heat will continue to build across much of India this week, and there is no relief in sight.
The most intense heat will be found across northern India, stretching from West Bengal and Odisha to Rajasthan, the National Capital Region and Punjab.
Daily high temperatures will approach or exceed 43 C (110 F) in these areas with the warmest locations recording temperatures exceeding 46 C (115 F).

Other locations that will endure dangerous heat this week include Telangana, northern Andhra Pradesh and eastern Maharashtra.
With no heat relief coming this week, temperatures are expected to increase through at least Friday.
Any relief from the heat will be modest next week as high temperatures will remain well above normal across northern India.
"High temperatures of 38-41 C (100-105 F) are expected in New Delhi early next week, replacing the current 43-44 C (110-111 F) heat," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.
This dangerous heat follows an unseasonably warm end of March and first half of April throughout much of India.
While heat waves happen every year in India, the early arrival and persistence of the heat are particularly worrisome.

A man bathes his son on a hot afternoon in a slum in Mumbai, India, Monday, May 23,2016. Authorities in a parched western Indian state sprinkled water in the streets and awaited the arrival of a special water train on Saturday, two days after temperatures reached a record-high 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit). (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Millions of residents and animals will remain at risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
No lasting relief from the heat is expected until the monsoon arrives, which means dangerous heat will be a concern into June.
The monsoon typically spreads from southeast to northwest across the country during the month of June, and no significant change from normal timing is expected this year.
"Arrival of the monsoon will be in early June across southern India, but is not expected to reach the National Capital Region until late June or early July," said Nicholls.
As a result, locations will continue to deal with brutal heat for another two months or longer, creating a very dangerous situation.
Related:
India Weather Center
Detailed New Delhi weather forecast
Heat exhaustion vs. heatstroke: What are the warning signs and how should you react?
The elderly and children are most susceptible to heat-related illness, especially when nighttime temperatures remain well above-normal levels, not allowing homes to cool off from the extreme daytime heat.

Staying hydrated and avoiding extended exposure to the sun and heat during the daytime are crucial, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
"A near to slightly below-normal monsoon this year overall [is expected], with the greatest deficits across southeastern and northwestern India," said Nicholls.