Heat wave likely to grip Uttarakhand after April 17

Dehradun: The MeT department on Thrusday warned of heat wave conditions in Uttarakhand, forecasting rise in maximum temperatures after April 17.

It has advised people to take precautions till the spell comes to an end.

Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in the state after April 17 for 72 hours. Maximum temperatures are likely to increase by 5-7 degrees Celsius above the normal, MeT office Director Vikram Singh said.

Temperatures are expected to rise up to 39-41 degrees Celsius in the plains and about 29-31 degrees Celsius in the hills, he said.

With the likelihood of a marked rise in temperatures people are advised to take precautionary measures like avoiding direct exposure to sunshine especially between 13:30 -15:30 hrs, Singh said.

Farmers have been advised to harvest the ready crops and irrigate the standing crops as per requirement, he said.

High temperatures are conducive for fire related incidents in urban and forest areas, so necessary precautionary measures can be taken, the official said.

He attributed the likely rise in temperatures and heat wave conditions in Uttarakhand to the presence of an anti-cyclonic circulation in the middle tropospheric levels over south Pakistan and neighbourhood with the ridge extending up to western Uttar Pradesh.

Maximum temperatures are likely to subside from April 22 onwards with the commencement of rain and thunderstorm activities over the state, Singh said