Nagpur: Vidarbha region in Maharashtra is on the boil. Chandrapur became the first city of Vidarbha to breach the 46 degree Celsius mark on Friday when it recorded a maximum temperature of 46.4 degrees Celsius. The district was also the hottest in the region and the sixth hottest in the world.
Nagpur recorded a maximum temperature of 45.2 degrees Celsius, which was nearly three degrees above the normal mercury levels and also the season’s highest. All the districts of Vidarbha recorded maximum temperatures which were three or more degrees than the normal levels.
According to the weather website El Dorado, four districts of the region were listed among the world’s 15 hottest cities — Chandrapur was the 6th hottest, Akola 10th, Bramhapuri 12th, and Wardha 14th.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Nagpur, has issued a heatwave warning for Akola, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Wardha, and Yavatmal. “Citizens should stay indoors during peak afternoon hours. If outside, cover your head using a cloth, hat, or umbrella. Take special care of the elderly, children, sick, or overweight as they are more likely to become victims of excessive heat. Also, traditional remedies like onion salad and raw mango with salt and cumin can prevent heat stroke,” the advisory added.
Severe heat conditions have been consistently reported over large parts of India since the beginning of the summer season in March this year. Maximum temperatures in Vidarbha have remained between 40 degrees and 45 degrees Celsius throughout the last two months.