How cool are our hill stations?

Heat wave raises temperatures across all hill stations in the state.

Mumbai: The hill stations in Maharashtra are no longer “cool” enough, at least this summer season. Thanks to the heat wave sweeping across the state.

While the Lohegaon area of Pune recorded 42.7oC on Tuesday, meteorological data shows that at most of the hill stations too the mercury has already crossed 30 and at some places it is scarily nearing 40. The short-term weather prediction also shows that the condition is unlikely to be any better soon. In fact it may go worse, suggest the weather models.

According to the IMD data, maximum temperature at Mahabaleshwar crossed the mark of 33oC earlier this week and the mercury is unlikely to tame down very soon. Same is the case with Matheran. There the mercury touched 34oC. Pachgani too recorded 34oC while at Lonavala the mercury sored to 38oC. The mercury remained at around 35oC in Amboli of Sindhudurg district, but hill stations like Igatpuri (Nashik) and Toranmal (Nandurbar) recorded a whooping 39oC. Chikhaldara (Amravati) was probably the coolest place among hill stations of Maharashtra. But there too the maximum temperature was 32oC. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued warnings about intense heat waves earlier this month. The warning followed unseasonal rains in several parts of Maharashtra, which had added to the discomfort from the heat. The IMD has warned that temperatures could increase by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius over the coming days. The IMD had also warned that the increasing temperatures may feel even more intense due to high humidity.

Heatwaves are common in Maharashtra from April to June, but experts believe that climate change and global warming have caused them to become more frequent and prolonged in recent years.

While the current heat wave in Maharashtra is likely to affect Konkan, Northern Maharashtra and Western Maharashtra more than the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, conditions in other parts of the country are not very different. The mercury has crossed 43°C in several parts of Punjab, with areas in Rajasthan nearing a sweltering 45°C. The IMD has warned of a prolonged heatwave in Rajasthan and Gujarat over the next three days. A rise of 2-4°C in maximum temperatures is expected across northwest India until April 18, followed by a slight dip in the subsequent days. Similarly, central India may see a 2-3°C rise in the coming days.

In Maharashtra and Gujarat, a marginal drop in temperatures is anticipated post-24 to 48 hours. Rajasthan is likely to remain under heatwave conditions until April 19, while Kerala and Mahe brace for hot and humid weather. Nighttime temperatures are also expected to remain unusually warm across parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.