Residents of Madhya Pradesh are reeling under intense hot weather with many places experiencing heat wave conditions.
The condition is only set to worsen with the weather office predicting rise in temperatures and severe heat wave conditions in isolated places across state over the next four days. The weather office has asked citizens to take precautions.
Given the extreme weather conditions, the timings of schools have been curtailed/changed in many districts including Bhopal. Early summer vacations are likely if similar or worse weather conditions prevail, sources said.
For the past few days, the temperatures have been consistently rising and the condition is such that most parts of the state are now recording maximum temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius mark—more than 3-6 degrees above the normal temperatures expected in the season.
On Wednesday, the Bhopal-based Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) issued an outlook of next five days, indicating heat wave conditions in around 20 districts and severe heat wave conditions in isolated parts. Heat wave is announced when maximum temperatures are more than five degrees above the normal mark.
Among the districts that should expect heat wave conditions on Thursday are Chhindwara, Guna, Satna, Rewa, Tikamgarh, Gwalior, Datia, Ashoknagar, Rajgarh, Sagar, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Khargone, Khandwa, Dhar, Shajapur, Agar and Ratlam.
Conditions would intensify form April 8, with isolated severe heat wave expected for districts of Gwalior and Chambal divisions and some districts of Sagar and Rewa divisions. Heat wave conditions will continue in districts of Bhopal, Hoshangabad (Narmadapuram), Ujjain, Jabalpur and Shahdol divisions, the RMC warning said.
On Wednesday, highest maximum temperatures close to 43 degrees Celsius were recorded at Khajuraho, Damoh, Hoshangabad, Khandwa, Khargone and Rajgarh districts. Capital Bhopal recorded maximum temperature of 40-9 degrees, which is four degrees above normal, Indore recorded maximum of 40.0 degrees, which is two degrees above normal, Jabalpur – 41.2 degrees (+4) and Gwalior 41.5 (+4).
‘Take precautions’
Citizens have been asked to take preventive measures against the heat wave conditions. The Bhopal RMC has urged citizens to minimize direct contact with sunlight, wearing light coloured cotton clothes, covering head with cloth or cap when outdoors and drinking adequate water.
Change in school timings
In Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur both government and private schools will now function only between 7.00 am and 12.00 noon. The respective district administrations have issued orders to this effect. In Hoshangabad, Chhindwara and Khandwa, school timings will be between 7.30 am and 12.00 noon. In Damoh the timings will be from 9.15 am to 1.15 pm.
