Meaning of IMD’s Orange Alert on Loo
The Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert on Loo. Those who stay in the sun for a long time or do heavy work can fall ill. Most at risk from the scorching heat are newborns, the elderly and people with serious illnesses. Two days back, 13 people suffered heat stroke and died after sitting in the sun for hours at a Maharashtra government programme.
IMD told the reason for heat wave
Sometimes clouds form when the wind blows from the east or the Bay of Bengal, which lowers the temperature in the eastern states. But right now hot winds are blowing from the north-west in eastern India, in such a situation, the eastern states should take adequate measures to prevent the heat.
Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra, DG IMD
why does it feel hot
Dr Mohapatra said that severe heatwave conditions are not only caused by temperature but also by humidity. He said, ‘The humidity in the coastal states is more than in the northern states.’ Humidity reduces the body’s ability to cool because sweat does not dry quickly. Such temperature is called high wet bulb temperature. According to Dr Mohapatra, the temperatures in the eastern states are high but the humidity is low as compared to June and July because of the prevailing north-west wind. If the wind blows from the east and the temperature remains the same, it can prove fatal.
school timings changed
Schools have been closed in West Bengal and Odisha due to rising heat and heatwave. Schools in several states, including Tripura, are opening early in the morning to save children from the scorching heat.
Rain coming to give relief in Delhi
Like most parts of the country, Delhi is also experiencing severe heat. On Tuesday also, the maximum temperature is expected to cross 41 degrees during the day. However, the weather is expected to change by evening. According to IMD, there may be light rain with thunderstorm in Delhi in the evening. Thunderstorms are forecast for Wednesday. Then on April 20-21 also the sky will remain cloudy. It may rain.