Heatwave: IMD issues orange alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a severe heatwave in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana between May 18 and 20 and in other parts of northern India and Bihar over the next five
IMD attributed the above conditions due the dwindling influence of western disturbances and also subsidence of hot air, which is heating the surface due to an anticyclone over northwest India.
An orange alert is issued when a heatwave is likely to persist for more than four days or a severe heatwave for more than two days.
There are two criteria for a heatwave — when the maximum temperature is at least 40°C and between 4.5°C and 6.4°C higher than the normal; or when the maximum temperature is over 45°C for two stations in a sub-division for two consecutive days.
A severe heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is at least 40°C and more than 6.4°C higher than the normal; or when the maximum temperature is more than 47°C.
IMD issues warnings in color codes, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red as per the conditions of Heatwave conditions prevailing in the Country.
| WARNING | IMPACT | SUGGESTED ACTION |
| Nil | Comfortable Temperature | No cautionary required |
| Heat wave conditions at district level, likely to persist for 2 days | Heat is tolerable for general public but moderate health concern for vulnerable people e.g. infants, elderly, people with chronic diseases. | Avoid heat exposure |
| Severe heat wave conditions likely to persist for 2 days. ii. With varied severity, heat wave is likely to persist for 4 days or more. | Increased likelihood of heat illness symptoms in people who are either exposed to sun for a prolonged period or doing heavy work. High health concern for vulnerable people e.g. infants, elderly, people with chronic diseases. | Avoid heat exposure– keep cool. Avoid dehydration |
| Severe heat wave likely to persist for more than 2 days. ii. Total number of heat/severe heat wave days likely to exceed 6 days. | Very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages. | Extreme care needed for vulnerable people. |
INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT works under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
In the year 1875, the Government of India established the India Meteorological Department, bringing all meteorological work in the country under a central authority. Mr. H. F. Blanford was appointed Meteorological Reporter to the Government of India. The first Director General of Observatories was Sir John Eliot who was appointed in May 1889 at Calcutta headquarters. The headquarters of IMD were later shifted to Shimla, then to Poona (now Pune) and finally to New Delhi.Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra is the current Director General of Meteorology.
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