Mumbai, Thane and Palghar under heatwave alert: IMD

The India Meteorological Department IMD on Monday issued a heatwave alert for Mumbai Thane and Palghar and issued a yellow alert for parts of Maharashtra predicting similar hot weather conditionsThe weather department has predicted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of Mumbai Thane and Palghar on Monday and TuesdayIn a weather bulletin issued on Monday afternoon the weather department has issued a yellow alert warning residents about the possibility of unusually high temperatures during the periodApart from the Mumbai metropolitan region similar alerts have been issued for several districts across Maharashtra These include Raigad Ratnagiri Dhule Nandurbar Jalgaon Nashik Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Jalna Akola and AmravatiThe warning stated Hot and humid conditions in isolated pockets were very likely in these areasAccording to the IMD these areas may experience very high daytime temperaturesWeather conditions in MMRWith Mumbai and its adjoining areas reeling in hot weather conditions the IMD had earlier on Monday morning issued a yellow alert for the city Thane Palghar and Raigad districtThe Regional Met Centre RMC in Mumbai stated that the minimum temperature in the city was on Monday morning recorded at 213 degrees Celsius at the Santacruz observatory and at Colaba the minimum temperature was recorded at 24 degrees CelsiusIt said that the maximum temperature was likely to hover between 358 and 336 degrees Celsius on March 9Haze during morning hours and mainly clear sky towards afternoonevening Hot and humid condition very likely to prevail in city and suburbs a weather bulletin said on Monday morningAkola records seasonrsquos high as Vidarbha remains dryThe India Meteorological Departmentrsquos Regional Meteorological Centre Nagpur has reported dry weather conditions across the Vidarbha region with no rainfall recorded during the latest observation periodAccording to the weather bulletin maximum temperatures remained appreciably above normal while minimum temperatures stayed near normal levels across the regionThe highest maximum temperature of 409 degrees Celsius was recorded in Akola making it the hottest district in Vidarbha Meanwhile the lowest minimum temperature of 176 degrees Celsius was recorded in WashimThe weather department stated that one or two place in Vidarbha were likely to witness heatwave on March 9 10 and 11Meteorologists said an upper air cyclonic circulation over south Bangladesh and neighbouring areas persists between 15 km and 31 km above mean sea level In addition a trough extending from Bihar to Marathwada via Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh continues to influence weather patterns over VidarbhaHowever rainfall activity across the region remains minimal for nowPrecautionary measures to avoid heat strokeThe IMD has suggested the following precautionary measures to avoid heat stroke during the hot weather conditionsExpected Impacts Vulnerable citizensmay take necessary precautions It is advised to take precautionary measures for hot weather while going outside during peak hours of the day Heat cramps heat rash likely during peak hours of the dayAction Suggested Avoid prolonged heat exposure Stay hydrated Drink sufficient water even if not feeling thirsty to avoid dehydration Wear light weight light colored loose cotton clothes Cover your head use a wet cloth hat or umbrella while going out during peak hours Caution workers to avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours Schedule strenuous jobs to cooler times of the day Increasing the frequency and length of rest breaks for outdoor activities Recognize the signs of heat stroke heat rash or heat cramps such as weakness dizziness headache nausea sweating and seizures If you feel faint or ill see a doctor hospital immediately Farmers are advised to continue irrigation activities