Parts of northeast India are recording maximum temperatures near their historical highs for the month, but rarely have hot spells lasted as long as they have gone on this year, data from the India Meteorological Department shows.
Long heat spells are unusual in the region which usually records frequent thunderstorm activity in April and May. But this year, there have been fewer thunderstorms.
Tripura’s capital Agartala recorded maximum temperatures in the range of 38 to 39.3 degrees C from April 15 to 19. The record for Agartala is 41.5 degree C recorded on April 30, 1960. Agartala’s mean daily temperature for April is 33.3 degrees C.
Shillong in Meghalaya recorded maximum temperatures in the range of 27 degrees C to 29.1 degrees C. The record for Shillong is 30.2 degrees C, recorded on April 5, 1973 and the mean daily temperature for Shillong in April (CHECK) is only 23.4 degrees C. Imphal in Manipur recorded maximum temperatures in the range of 32.8 degrees C to 38 degrees C. The highest temperature recorded in Imphal is 36.1 degrees C, on April 9, 1999. Imphal’s daily maximum mean temperature is only 29 degrees C as per IMD’s Climate Data Portal.
East India also recorded brutal temperatures that are likely to top records. Kolkata’s maximum temperatures were in the range of 40 degrees C to 41.6 degrees C between April 15 to 19.