Heatwave: dangerous temps and UV alerts

Central and western India are moving through another stretch of dangerous April heat, with parts of Maharashtra already above 40 degrees Celsius and alerts extending into April 18. (deccanherald.com) (mausam.imd.gov.in) Akola recorded 44.2 degrees Celsius, one of the highest readings reported in India on April 15, while Pune’s Lohgaon station reached 41.8 degrees Celsius as inland Maharashtra heated up. (deccanherald.com) (freepressjournal.in) The India Meteorological Department said heatwave conditions and hot, humid weather were likely this week across isolated parts of central, west and south India, and its warning pages show heat alerts for April 16 through April 18. (mausam.imd.gov.in 1) (mausam.imd.gov.in 2) In India’s weather system, a heatwave is not just “very hot” weather. The India Meteorological Department says the benchmark for plains starts at a maximum temperature of at least 40 degrees Celsius, with the reading also significantly above normal for that place. (mausam.imd.gov.in 1) (mausam.imd.gov.in 2) That is why Pune’s 41.8 degrees Celsius drew attention even before some areas formally crossed into heatwave classification. Local reporting said the India Meteorological Department issued an alert and public safety guidance as temperatures pushed past 40 degrees Celsius. (freepressjournal.in) (mausam.imd.gov.in) Kerala is dealing with a related but separate risk: ultraviolet radiation. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority warned on April 15 that high ultraviolet index levels had been recorded and said exposure is typically strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) (theweek.in) The Kerala warning focused on skin and eye exposure, not just air temperature. The authority said prolonged ultraviolet exposure can cause sunburn, skin disorders and eye problems, and advised people to limit direct sun during peak daytime hours. (theweek.in) (onmanorama.com) The India Meteorological Department’s April outlook had already pointed to a hotter-than-normal month over many parts of the country, and its mid-April bulletin said heatwave conditions could persist over parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and neighboring regions into the second half of the week. (mausam.imd.gov.in) (economictimes.indiatimes.com) For the next few days, the official forecast still points to heat as the main story: inland temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s in parts of Maharashtra, and daytime sun exposure in Kerala severe enough to trigger a state warning. (hindustantimes.com) (economictimes.indiatimes.com)