The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday warned of heatwave conditions in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for the next five days. In Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, the heatwave conditions are expected to persist from May 18 to 21.

According to the IMD, temperatures have already reached 45 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country.

“From April until recently, continuous western disturbances have been influencing Northwest India. This caused isolated rainfall in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, keeping temperatures relatively low. In May, however, temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius in many places. Today, the temperature has already reached 45 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan,” said senior IMD scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar.

“In Punjab and Haryana, temperatures are also nearing 44 degrees Celsius, with heatwave conditions similar to those in Uttar Pradesh. A heatwave is likely in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for the next five days and in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar for four days. After that, mild thunderstorms may occur, causing a slight drop in temperature,” Dr. Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and South Karnataka are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rains in the next five days, he added.

(With ANI input)