Lucknow, May 23 (BNA): Large swaths of India from the northwest to the southeast braced for more scorching heat Monday, with New Delhi on severe weather alert as extreme temperatures batter parts of the country.
The Indian Meteorological Department issued a heat wave warning for seven southern and central states last week and extended it to the capital and some northern states on Monday as high temperatures exceeded normal levels, the Associated Press reported.
She warned that the sweltering heat would continue over the next few days before the rains would bring some relief. It added that the southwest monsoon was a little late this year and would descend in the first week of June, causing temperatures to remain high for longer than usual.
With temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, some parts suffered power cuts for more than 12 hours despite a March order for all power plants in the country to operate at full capacity to limit blackouts. A weather official said the heat wave is likely to continue in the state for two more days.
Hundreds of frustrated residents protested outside power stations near the state capital Lucknow and blocked roads over the weekend.
MI