Humidity torments locals as mercury touches 39 degree Celsius

Kanpur: Mercury once again surged in the city on Tuesday, with the maximum temperature recorded at 39 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 23.6 degrees Celsius. Compared with Monday, the temperature witnessed a sharp rise of nearly 4 degrees Celsius. Though the maximum temperature remained 1.9 degrees Celsius below normal, it was sufficient to leave residents troubled during daytime hours.

According to the weather observatory, the maximum relative humidity was recorded at 59% while north-westerly winds swept across the city at a speed of 4.4 km per hour. Though the breeze brought some relief, intense sunshine coupled with high humidity conditions left citizens perspiring as sweat failed to evaporate easily.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that weather conditions across all six districts of Kanpur division would remain mainly clear to partly cloudy over the next 24 hours. With the onset of June, the impact of scorching sunshine and heat is expected to continue in the region. The department also indicated possibilities of light drizzle and thunderstorms at isolated places.

The IMD forecast stated that in Kanpur Nagar on Wednesday, the maximum temperature was likely to hover between 41 and 42 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may range from 27 to 30 degrees Celsius. Afternoon conditions were expected to remain partly cloudy with intense sunshine and heatwave-like conditions prevailing in the district.

Dr S Sunil Pandey, weather expert at CSA University, said that movement of thunderclouds was likely in Kanpur division on Wednesday. He added that temperatures may gradually rise by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius during the course of the week, increasing the likelihood of humid heat conditions.

He further stated that the heat index, or actual feel of temperature, ranged between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius on Tuesday due to elevated humidity levels. The UV index during midday hours was recorded at 11 plus, which falls in the extreme category.