Pune: Large parts of India have recorded significantly above-normal maximum temperatures in the first week of Oct, with the heat more pronounced across central and western parts of the country and extending into several areas of northwest India.IMD’s temperature maps released on Thursday showed maximum temperatures above normal in Punjab, New Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and adjoining regions (from Oct 1-7). Temperature departures have been in the range of 1-4 °C, the data showed.In fact, experts said Delhi’s heat this Oct has been noteworthy. Delhi recorded a maximum of 37.1°C on Oct 3, which the experts said was only the second time in about a decade the capital had reached 37°C during this period.Mean temperatures too were above normal in central, western and southern India during October 1-7, although the departures (1-2°C) were more moderate and less widespread than those seen in daytime temperatures. Minimum temperatures showed a mixed pattern during Oct 1-8, with above-normal pockets over parts of northwest and southeast India.IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said an anti-cyclonic circulation over Gujarat and adjoining areas, along with winds from Arabian Sea, had contributed to the above-normal temperatures. “Normally, northwesterly winds bring cooler air to north India, but during this period, winds from the Arabian Sea contributed to temperatures being slightly above normal,” he said.He said the anti-cyclonic circulation was also responsible for elevated temperatures in Gujarat and Maharashtra.On the outlook, Kumar said there was not likely to be much variation in temperatures over the next few days, with temperatures expected to remain broadly at similar levels.Experts said the weather pattern indicates the heat is not restricted to a few exceptionally hot afternoons, but is keeping overall temperatures higher than normal. “This is the time of the year when the weather pattern changes rapidly after the southwest monsoon retreats. With cloud cover and rainfall reducing, dry westerly winds begin dominating and daytime heating becomes stronger,” Skymet Weather’s president GP Sharma said.Sharma said this post-monsoon transition can bring a renewed spell of hot and dry conditions over northwest and western India. Temperatures in western Pakistan and adjoining Iran are already in the 42-43°C range, while parts of central Pakistan have also crossed 40°C.In India, Rajasthan and Gujarat are among the areas seeing the strongest rise in daytime temperatures. Churu, Pilani and Sri Ganganagar have approached 40°C, while Jaisalmer, Barmer, Phalodi and Bikaner have recorded 38-39°C, according to Skymet.Sharma said southwest monsoon had withdrawn slightly earlier than usual this year, with rapid withdrawal nationwide in the last few days. He said the monsoon had already vacated most parts of India, and the resulting clear skies and wind changes had contributed to the rise in temperatures. “This is when the country’s ‘second summer’ begins,” Sharma said.He said the monsoon withdrawal had already covered Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan by late September and had subsequently progressed across several other regions. “Maharashtra and Goa are completely dry, and withdrawal has also covered parts of north Telangana and most of Chhattisgarh,” he said.Sharma said temperatures around 40°C were not unusual in parts of Gujarat and west Rajasthan during this phase of the year. “Places such as Naliya and Bhuj in Kutch, and Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan, can see around 40°C at this time following the withdrawal of the monsoon,” he said.On Delhi’s record heat during the first week of Oct, he said: “It touched 37.1°C on October 3, and this has happened only for the second time in the last about 10 years,” Sharma said.Thursday’s temperatures showed heat persisting across parts of western and northwest India. Ahmedabad recorded a maximum of 37.6°C, 1.6°C above normal, while Gandhinagar reached 36.5°C, 1.5°C above normal. In coastal Maharashtra, Alibaug recorded 35°C, 2.6°C above normal, while Mumbai’s Santacruz recorded 37.6°C, a significant 4.5°C above normal.Northwestern and western Rajasthan also remained hot, with Pilani recording 39.7°C, while Barmer, Chittorgarh and Jaisalmer recorded 38.6°C, 38.2°C and 38.5°C, respectively. Jaisalmer’s maximum was 1.1°C above normal. In Delhi-NCR, Safdarjung recorded 35.7°C, 1.5°C above normal, while Lodhi Road recorded 35°C, 2°C above normal. The minimum temperatures were also above normal at Safdarjung (24.1°C, +3.1°C) and Lodhi Road (23.4°C, +3.4°C), indicating that nights have remained relatively warm in these areas. IMD has also forecast hot and humid conditions over Konkan and Goa during October 8-10.On whether El Niño was contributing to the current heat, Sharma said there was no clear evidence of a direct link. He said while El Niño could coincide with an early monsoon withdrawal, historical data did not establish a consistent relationship between the two.
