Heatwave intensifies again as mercury crosses 44℃ in Kanpur

Kanpur: After a gap of two days, the mercury once again crossed the 44 degree Celsius mark in Kanpur on Saturday, intensifying heatwave conditions across the division and leaving residents grappling with scorching weather.

According to weather observations, the Air Force observatory at Chakeri recorded a maximum temperature of 44.2°C, while the observatory at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology registered 43°C, around 2.7°C above normal.

As per the weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dry weather accompanied by strong sunshine is expected to continue across the Kanpur division on Sunday. Meteorologists have predicted that temperatures are likely to fluctuate within a narrow range of one to two degrees during the coming week, while heatwave conditions may intensify further.

The forecast suggests that residents are unlikely to get any significant respite from the prevailing hot and dry weather conditions in the coming days, with severe heatwave conditions expected to persist across the division.

Weather observatories recorded maximum relative humidity at 41 percent on Saturday. Meanwhile, north-easterly winds blowing at speeds ranging between 4.3 kmph and 11.2 kmph added to the discomfort, particularly during the noon and afternoon hours when the heat remained most intense.

Dr S. Sunil Pandey, weather expert at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, said that strong sunshine coupled with continuing heatwave conditions could create difficulties for residents and advised people to take all necessary precautions before stepping outdoors.

He said that no significant change in climatic conditions is expected till June 5. However, he noted that increased atmospheric moisture may trigger dust storms accompanied by strong winds, light showers and thundercloud activity in isolated pockets during afternoon hours.

Although parts of the city witnessed brief cloud cover during the afternoon, it failed to provide any relief from the prevailing heat, and hot weather conditions continued to dominate during the evening hours.