Delhi: 

Heatwave is likely to abate over Delhi and adjoining parts of northwest and central India from today, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

The weather office has predicted partly cloudy sky with the possibility of thunder development at isolated places over Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, east Rajasthan and parts of Uttar Pradesh from Monday, which is likely to give some respite to residents from the scorching heat.

Whereas the heatwave would abate over Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and West Rajasthan from May 3, the IMD said Sunday.

Heat Wave conditions in isolated parts over Vidarbha during 01-03 May; over MP, Chhattisgarh, Telangana & West Rajasthan on 01 & 02 May; over HP, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, south UP, Kutch & East Rajasthan today. Abatement of heat wave over the region thereafter.

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 1, 2022

India has been reeling under intense heatwave conditions for the past few weeks. Owing to scanty rains, northwest and central India experienced the hottest April in 122 years with average maximum temperatures touching 35.9 degrees Celsius and 37.78 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The northwest region had previously recorded an average maximum temperature of 35.4 degrees Celsius in April 2010, while the previous record for the central region was 37.75 degrees Celsius in 1973.

More than a billion people are at risk of heat-related impacts in the region, scientists have warned, linking the early onset of an intense summer to climate change