There was some respite from the heat in Haryana on Friday, as most weather stations across the state recorded a dip in temperatures. Despite the relief, the orange alert for a heat wave remains in effect.
According to the Meteorological Department, the state’s average maximum temperature dropped by 1.1 degrees Celsius on Friday. However, it continued to remain 2.2 degrees Celsius above normal across the state.
Rohtak recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 45.3 degrees Celsius, followed by Bhiwani at 45 degrees Celsius, Narnaul at 44.5 degrees Celsius, and Sirsa at 44.4 degrees Celsius.
Sirsa also recorded the highest minimum (night) temperature in the state at 30.2 degrees Celsius.
“The conditions of heat wave will persist for the next few days in Haryana,” said Director, IMD Chandigarh, Surender Paul.
According to the weather department, there is an orange alert of a heat wave in several districts of Haryana from May 23 to May 25.
On May 23, there is an orange alert again in 16 districts of the state: Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Panipat, Sonepat, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Rewari, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Faridabad, and Palwal. Besides, there will be a yellow heat wave alert for Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, and Kaithal.
There is an orange heat wave alert across all districts of Haryana from May 24 to May 26.
In an orange alert, the residents are expected to remain prepared.
In a heat wave, the maximum temperature is at least 45 degrees Celsius. If the temperature at a station is more than 40 degrees Celsius and 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal, it is also considered a heat wave.
Advisory
The weather department has advised that in orange alert areas, there is an increased likelihood of heat illness-related symptoms among people who are either exposed to the sun for prolonged periods or engaged in heavy work. Also, there is a high health concern for vulnerable people, e.g., infants, elderly, people with chronic diseases.
Farmers in Haryana have been advised to maintain adequate irrigation in standing sugarcane, cotton, and summer fodder crops. They have been further advised to complete paddy nursery preparation with assured irrigation facilities and to adopt mulching or moisture-conservation practices to reduce water stress in newly sown crops.
