State sizzles under intense heat, no respite in sight

Yes it’s March, but Karnataka is sizzling under unusually high temperatures with more than 20 districts recording a maximum temperature of 40°C and above on Wednesday. 

Kalaburagi recorded 43.8°C, the highest for the day, and Ballari, Koppal, Yadgir, Chitradurga, Raichur and Bagalkot districts recorded 43°C and above (see chart). 

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) stated that temperatures have been two to three degrees above normal during the last few days.

KSNDMC measures the temperature at 747 telemetric centres located across the state. The highest temperature recorded among the various telemetric stations located in a district is taken as the day’s maximum temperature for that district. 

For instance, Bengaluru urban district has 15 stations. The maximum temperature on Wednesday was 38.4°C, which means it is the highest temperature recorded among the 15 stations.

According to KSNDMC, there will be no respite as temperatures are likely to soar in the next three to four days, leading to heat wave like conditions.