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Vinson Kurian

Thiruvananthapuram April 26 Two spells of thunderstorms in Delhi and surroundings on Wednesday kicked up a lot of dust as they are wont to during this time of the year, but failed to beat the heat down from a stubborn 40 deg C level.

Dust storms usually bring some respite by trapping the incoming solar radiation, but they just wilted in the face of the `dry heat' and poor humidity levels, said Mr J.V. Singh of the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).

SEARING HEAT

These storms produce rain provided the humidity level is above 80 per cent and the `base height' of thunderclouds one km or below.

On Wednesday, the humidity level was below 30 per cent and the base height at three km.

This provides the best evidence yet of the searing heat wave that is threatening to engulf the north and northwest.

An NCMRWF update said that temperatures have been above normal for past five days.

Heat wave conditions prevail over parts of north Rajasthan and adjoining west Haryana, where day temperatures are above normal by 5 deg C.

Heat wave conditions may cover some more parts of Northwest India, including Delhi, during the next 3-4 days.

A western disturbance with cooler climes is tipped to approach Jammu and Kashmir on Monday next but there is no word on its magnitude, which determines its weather-creating capacity over the plains.

TYPICAL OF SEASON

This heating is typical of tropical and some sub-tropical climates having rainy seasons in the respective hemisphere summer, according to Mr Jim Andrews of AccuWeather.com.

The sun is severe, and land dry, following winter drought. But scattered thunderstorms capable of torrential rains do break out.

The high-pressure area anchored over Afghanistan and Pakistan favours plenty more heat for at least another week and beyond.

In all likelihood, hot spots will become hotter. The heat from eastern Iran to northern India could only intensify over the coming days.

RAINS IN N-E

Meanwhile, the fairly widespread to widespread rainfall in the North-East is forecast to continue for another 24-36 hours under the benign influence of a `blocking high (pressure area)' in the upper levels and a corresponding trough in the lower levels.

Going forward, the `high' is seen loosening up, impacting the rainfall activity in the region.

In the south, an easterly wave is getting organised to strike the peninsular coast by the weekend.

The India Meteorological Department has said that no `low' is taking shape as forecast earlier - it will be just a cyclonic circulation.

Southern Tamil Nadu, Kerala and costal Karnataka are expected to receive scattered rain.

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Dust storms unable to bring down mercury

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