Ooty, renowned as the “queen of hill stations,” recently experienced an unprecedented surge in temperature, reaching a sweltering 29 degrees Celsius. This spike, the highest since 1986, surprised both locals and tourists who flock to Ooty for its typically cool climate. Meteorological experts noted that Monday’s temperature reading soared 5.4 degrees Celsius above the usual average for this time of year, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue a heatwave warning for northern interior regions of Tamil Nadu, with a yellow alert in place until May 3.
The heatwave isn’t limited to Ooty; it’s impacting the entire nation. In West Bengal’s Kalaikunda, temperatures peaked at a staggering 47.2 degrees Celsius, while neighbouring Jharkhand’s Singhbham district recorded 47.1 degrees Celsius. The Indian Meteorological Department has responded by issuing an Orange Alert for the coming days across various parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Kerala. Tragically, a fatality was reported in Jharkhand’s Dumma due to the intense heat. However, there’s a slight respite in Delhi, where temperatures have dropped to 36.5 degrees Celsius.
In response to the soaring temperatures, the Kerala state government has taken proactive measures. In Palakkad, where temperatures are predicted to reach 41 degrees Celsius until May 4, educational institutions have extended vacation periods, and authorities have advised scheduling outdoor activities during the cooler evenings.
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