Maharashtra's Akola hottest in India at 46.9 degree Celsius; Kerala reels under intense heat

Heat wave conditions are expected to persist across parts of the state's Vidarbha region till Tuesday, as maximum temperatures may reach 45 to 46 degrees Celsius and touch 47 degrees Celsius at isolated locations, they said.

Akola in Maharashtra has recorded the highest temperature in the country at 46.9°C, while Nagpur and several other parts of Vidarbha reeled under a severe heat wave, MeT officials said on Monday.

On the other hand, large parts of Kerala continued to experience hot and humid weather, with several districts recording high temperatures and no significant rainfall.

Heat wave conditions are expected to persist across parts of Maharashtra's Vidarbha region till Tuesday, as maximum temperatures may reach 45 to 46 degrees Celsius and touch 47 degrees Celsius at isolated locations, they said.

Wardha sizzled at 46.4 degrees Celsius, Yavatmal logged 46 degrees Celsius, Nagpur scorched at 45.4 degrees Celsius, while Chandrapur recorded 45 degrees Celsius, as per the data.

Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Nagpur experienced heat wave conditions, while several other districts reported above-normal temperatures, RMC scientist Dr Praveen Kumar told PTI.

The prevailing above-normal and persistently high temperatures over Vidarbha can be attributed to an anticyclonic circulation over Maharashtra and adjoining areas. At the same time, hot and dry northwesterly winds have been continuously affecting the region, he said.

In Kerala, northern Palakkad was the hottest in the state, with the maximum temperature touching just over 40 degrees Celsius.

It was followed closely by Punalur in southern Kollam district, which recorded nearly 40 degrees Celsius.

Interior regions such as Kottayam and Vellanikkara in Thrissur district also saw temperatures rising to around 36 to 37 degrees Celsius, adding to the discomfort.

In coastal areas, Thiruvananthapuram recorded a maximum of 34.8 degrees Celsius, while Kochi Airport saw 33.2 degrees Celsius during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am.

However, high humidity levels made conditions feel hotter than the actual temperature, especially during the day.

Northern districts were also warm.