The heat is making records in March. This can be understood from the temperature of the metropolitan cities of the country. The maximum temperature in Delhi reached 35.7 degrees Celsius this Saturday (7 March). This was the hottest day of the first week of March in the last 50 years. Not only this, the maximum temperature in Delhi on Wednesday i.e. March 11 reached 36.8 degrees Celsius, which is 8.4 degrees more than normal. Not only this, the temperature in Mumbai reached 40 degrees Celsius on March 10. It was the hottest day of March after 2021.
Temperatures in many parts of the country are above normal. It is as hot as April in the beginning of March. Now the question is why is the heat record being set in March, is there any hope of relief from it and what does the Meteorological Department (IMD) say on this?
Why is the heat showing in March?
In view of the rising temperatures, the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for many parts. Weather experts say the current heat wave is caused by an anticyclone system formed by dry and hot easterly winds. Scientists of Mumbai Meteorological Department (IMD) say that such a system is formed when the sea breeze slows down. As a result, the temperature suddenly increases.
Anti-cyclone is formed in Gujarat and its surrounding areas. Due to this dry eastern winds blow. This stops sea winds, which usually control the temperature of coastal cities. There is no western disturbance or other system affecting the temperature. This is just an anti-cyclone system.
The northern and western regions of India are experiencing unusually severe heat in March after the cold days of February. With temperatures eight degrees above normal, these areas are in the grip of a heat wave. According to the Meteorological Department (IMD), heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees above normal. A severe heat wave is considered when the mercury goes above 6.5 degrees.
The Meteorological Department has already issued an alert for above normal maximum temperatures in most parts of India from March to May 2026. It was warned that there could be severe heat in many states.
Will there be relief from the heat?
IMD Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra says that the temperature is very high and will remain so for the next two to three days. The coming western disturbance will work to reduce the temperatures. The temperature in central and north-eastern India will drop by 3-4 degrees Celsius. The temperature will remain largely stable in the areas of Maharashtra next week.
There is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In the Northeast, there may be heavy rain in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya. Apart from this, there is a possibility of light rain in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Can provide relief from rising temperature.
Also read: How did Nadir Shah, the son of a shepherd, become the king of Iran?