Huge thunder cell over Bihar

A super HOT day over most of India.
And a Super Thunder cell formed and drenched parts of southern Bihar, West Bengal and Over Central Bangladesh.
More thunder storms were visible over parts of Rajasthan and southern Karnataka

A summer that spelt cruelty -- 03-Jun-2001, The Hindu

Original from: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/06/03/stories/0403401z.htm

CHENNAI, JUNE 2. After two years of ``softer seasons,'' summer this year, especially the period of ``Agni Natchatram'' which ended on Monday, proved extremely unkind to Chennai, as the city experienced one of the severest heat wave spells this time.

So far this month, the maximum temperature exceeded 40 degree Celsius for 12 days in Nungambakkam and for 14 days in the Meenambakkam weather station. Last year, Numgambakkam had only five such days and Meenambakkam eight days. In 1999, only one day in Nungambakkam and two days in Meenambakkam, saw the barometer cross the 40 degree C mark.

It was in 1998 that both observatories witnessed the maximum temperature going beyond 40 degree Celsius for a period ranging from 10 to 15 days. At that time, the season was at its peak in the second half of May.

Considered the hottest spell during summer as per the Hindu almanac, the ``Agni Natchatram or Khatri'' season, started on May 4. With this period ending today, the general expectation among the city residents is that the heat wave spell will also end in Chennai and its suburbs.

Though the Meteorological Department does not attach any significance to the Khatri season, ``we regard May as the peak summer for Chennai'', Mr.S.K. Subramanian, Director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre, says.

This month, the maximum temperature of 44.1 degree Celsius was registered in Meenambakkam on May 12. The next day, Nungambakkam saw the mercury touching 43.1 degree Celsius. Two days later, Tambaram, where the Air Force runs a weather unit, recorded 43.6 degree Celsius.

The city's peak summer spell was between May 12 and 16 when the temperature in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam hovered around 40 degree Celsius and 44 degree Celsius, for four successive days. After a day's break, the mercury table went up in the two observatories for the next three days and ranged from 40 to 42 degree Celsius. Between May 21 and 24, the weather was milder as the maximum temperature was below 40 degree Celsius in the two areas. From May 25 to 27, the table rose again and was in the range of 40 degree Celsius to 41 degree Celsius.

MJO "wet phase" and "Present temperature"

MJO - 40 day forecast predicts a GOOD wet phase from 12-May-09 to 25-May-09.

Take a look...

We do not what it is going to be for Indian sub-continent... May be a early setting of South-west monsoon..???

At present though it's severe heat thru out central, northern and south-central sub-continent.

Here's the Temperature chart for today.

Chennai is clear and Hazy and will be for next 5 days.

Max termperature is around 37, 38 deg celcius, this is mostly due to a intermittent cold wind from South-east from the Bay.

Once this stops, we'll have a record breaking 43 deg celcius. Chennai people, expect this soon.

For tamilnadu "Agni Natchatram" is starting from 4-May-09

For your info:

Agni Natchatram:
The hottest part of the summer; it is forecast in the Almanac. Prayers are offered to God to lessen the intensity of the heat

Indian summer and Swine Flu

A searing hot day, with mercury climbing to 43.5 degree Celsius, might be far from a perfect day. But it might prove to be a shield

against the latest health scare to hit the world. The H1N1 swine flu virus finds it difficult to survive high temperatures.

The heat wave presently gripping northern India and the rising temperatures in other parts of the country, may be a boon against swine flu infection.

Communicable disease experts say rising temperatures make it very difficult, especially for influenza viruses, to survive.

Speaking to TOI, Dr Khanchit Limpakarnjanarat, regional advisor for communicable diseases at the World Health Organization's regional office for South-East Asia, said, "When we cough, the virus may fall on the floor. In such high temperatures, the virus can't survive in the open and perishes. A slightly cold weather is most suitable for the virus to survive in the environment and live longer."

"However, if the virus already exists inside humans, it can continue to transmit from human to human through cough and sneeze, irrespective of the weather," Dr Limpakarnjanarat added.

According to Dr Jai P Narain, director of communicable diseases at WHO SEARO, "The H1N1 swine flu virus, like any other influenza virus, is most likely to die as temperatures soar. However, very little is known about the H1N1 swine flu strain, which is a mix of avian, human and swine flu genes. Since it is a new virus, we can just hope that it is susceptible to heat."

Experts from India's National Institute of Communicable Diseases also said that "influenza viruses peak during winter and cooler climates and disappear during summer".

"The virus that exists in the droplets of your nose or moth get killed when it is released in the environment. This is our experience with seasonal flu."

Heat wave scorching North India

Original from: http://www.samaylive.com/news/heat-wave-scorching-north-india/622700.html

New Delhi: Searing heat continued to scorch the plains of north India as temperatures remained above 40 degrees Celsius with no relief offered by the met office from the heat wave conditions.
In Delhi, the maximum temperature Friday was 44 degrees Celsius, a good five degrees above normal. Delhhiites had a tough time beating the heat with many trying their best to stay indoors or taking ample precautions if they had to venture out.


Radhika Sharma, a second year Delhi University Student who had an exam Friday said she couldn't stop sipping water every few minutes while writing her exam.


"It was so irritating. Every few minutes my throat would go absolutely dry and I had to keep sipping water. It just became next to impossible to concentrate," Sharma told IANS.


For rickshaw puller Raju Misra, all efforts to keep the heat at bay proved futile.


"I kept soaking my towel in water and wrapped it around myself to get some relief from the extreme heat. But all this brings only temporary relief," Misra, with a cloth masking half his face, said.


With mercury levels soaring, the union territory of Chandigarh and its neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana also sizzled in the heat.


The town of Hisar in Haryana was the hottest Friday at 45 degrees, which was five degrees above normal.


According to Met officials, the mercury will stay above 40 degrees Celsius in this region, clearly three to seven degrees above normal for this time of year.


Chandigarh recorded 42 degrees Celsius, six degrees above normal, Thursday.


Furthermore, with temperatures soaring over 43 degrees Celsius for the third consecutive day, the summer heat became increasingly intolerable in most parts of Uttar Pradesh.


"If such extreme heat conditions persist, we may consider early closure of schools for the summer vacations," Lucknow district magistrate Chandra Bhanu told IANS.


"We are also going to put up drinking water facilities along the roads in different parts of the state capital," he added.


In the desert state of Rajasthan, Pilani was the hottest city with day temperatures touching 47.1 degree Celsius Thursday. The state capital Jaipur was also sizzling at 44 degrees which was six degrees above normal.


"In view of the scorching heat I have changed my timings. I do some of my work before 11 a.m. and start again after 6 p.m.," said Ravi Singh, a direct marketing executive.


Some of the schools have also changed their timings from seven to noon while others are planning to declare early vacations because of the heat wave.


The weather officials said the weather condition over the entire northern region is dry and, therefore, the heat wave is likely to continue.

How to Survive a Monsoon

1. Step 1
2. Prepare for monsoon season by storing food and supplies. Food should be non-perishable and easily prepared. Supplies should be battery powered or mechanical.
3. Step 2

   Check your house for any weaknesses. Reinforce windows if necessary. Secure outdoor furniture or bring it inside. Clear any trees or garbage that could be caught in the wind.

4. Step 3

   Fill everything that can be used as a container with drinking water because the overflow from the rains can introduce contaminants into tap water. The first thing you need in order to survive is water.

5. Step 4

   Repair leaks as soon as possible. Dry the area immediately to prevent further damage or the growth of mold.

6. Step 5

   Stay inside as much as possible during monsoon season. Most of the risks to your health are outside.

7. Step 6

   Listen for emergency instructions on the radio or television. Follow official recommendations for continued safety.

What is "weather radio" and "How to use it?"

1. Weather hazards are a part of life no matter where you live. In addition to weather alerts on the regular media, the NOAA's National Weather Service issues broadcasts through National Weather Radio that can only be picked up by a weather radio. Weather radios come in handy, so learn how to use one with these steps
2. How to use it?
3. Step 1
4. Understand that there are two basic types of weather radios. Stand-alone receivers issue watches and warnings. General multi-band/function receivers deliver regular broadcasts as well.
5. Step 2

   Place your radio near a window facing the closest National Weather Service transmitter. Reception often improves in second floor windows and away from computers.

6. Step 3

   Tune your weather radio to one of these seven VHF frequencies that National Weather Radio (NWR) broadcasts from:162.400;162.425;162.450;162.475;162.500;162.525;162.550.

7. Step 4

   Check your reception. If you live in an isolated area or near mountains, you may need to use an external antenna for good reception. Nearby buildings can affect reception too. Weather radios often come equipped with an external antenna jack at the back that you can connect to a larger antenna.

8. Step 5

   Program weather radio use with Specific Alert Message Encoding (SAME) for the counties you want to receive alerts for. This allows you to get alerts only for your area and not others.

9. Step 6

   Learn that a 1050 Hz tone alarm precedes most weather watch and warnings. This tone activates weather radio receivers and should awaken you if alerts come at night.

10. Step 7

    Plan to keep fresh batteries to use for the battery backup in case you experience a power outage.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family From The Swine Flu

1. Step 1
2. 
3. Listen to what the CDC has to say.
4. Try and relax and do not panic when you hear the news about the Swine Flu. It is a potentially dangerous situation, I completely agree with that. It does no good however to start to panic. Instead, pay attention to the news the CDC is giving out, stay away from other sources. Mis-information can cause panic, and that is one thing that is not needed now.
5. Step 2
   
   Buy a few bottles and use them as often as possible.

   Buy a few bottles of hand sanitizer and use it whenever needed. If you cannot get out of the house, alcohol will do just fine, but do not overdue it. Alcohol will dry out the skin quickly.

6. Step 3
   
   Do not shake hands with anyone.

   When out and about somewhere, do not allow anyone to shake your hand or touch your child. Even if it seems rude, do not let it happen. Tell them that you have concerns regarding the Swine Flu and are only being cautious.

7. Step 4
   
   Wipe down or spray anything your children need to come in contact with while out with them.

   If you have younger children, be sure that you bring your own small can of Lysol or disinfectant wipes to wipe down shopping carts, public restroom toilet seats, high chairs or anywhere else that you know needs it.

8. Step 5
   
   Stay away from those who are already sick.

   Stay away from anyone who is sick. If you happen to work with someone that is sick, bring your hand sanitizer and a small can of disinfectant with you. If it makes you feel better, wearing a disposable face mask and latex gloves will also help.

9. Step 6
   
   Do not share drinks or food with anyone.

   Do not drink or eat from anybody's cup or plate. Even if it is family, stay with your own drink or food until containment of this flu has been reached.

10. Step 7
    
    Spray Lysol wherever you can as often as you want.

    Keep your home clean and sanitized. Wash and rinse down trash cans with bleach and water. Keep counter tops disinfected by using a bleach and water solution. Wash all bed sheets and pillows once or twice a week. Wipe down all door handles ever other day with bleach, or spray them with Lysol.

11. Step 8
    
    Boost your immune with Vitamin C.

    Last but not least, boost up your immune system by taking some Vitamin C pills or eating something that has Vitamin C in it. Best foods to eat are strawberries, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes, cauliflower and spinach.

India’s Heat Wave May Abate in Two Days, Weather Bureau Says

original from http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=az9hF1q4RQtA&refer=india

April 30 (Bloomberg) -- A heat wave in northern and western India may spread to more regions before abating by the weekend, the country's weather office said.

Temperatures in New Delhi climbed to 43.5 degrees Celsius (110.3 Fahrenheit) yesterday, the highest in 50 years and five degrees Celsius more than normal, the India Meteorological Department said on its Web site.

The heat wave has killed at least 67 people, with 9 deaths being reported in the eastern Orissa state, the Press Trust of India said. Temperatures reached 47.1 degrees Celsius in Nagpur in the western state of Maharashtra yesterday, the agency said.

The hot weather conditions may spread to parts of Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in two days, the weather bureau said.

India's monsoon rains, forecast to be near normal this year, may arrive a week earlier than the normal June 1 date, the bureau said earlier this week. The nation's central region may receive more rainfall than last year, while showers in the southern parts of the country will be same as last year, it said.

Kanpur -- Hottest day in the last 8 years

Original from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kanpur/Hottest-day-in-the-last-8-years/articleshow/4464809.cms

KANPUR: Breaking the record of the last eight years, Wednesday proved to be the hottest day in the month of April. With the maximum temperature of the day climbing to 43.8 degrees

celsius, April 29 also was recorded as the hottest day of the season so far. It seems Kanpurites are in for some terribly hot weather in coming days.

The mercury and election fever were both at their peak on Wednesday. The Met officials have predicted that the temperature is likely to stay at the same mark for the next couple of days.

On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was at an all time high of 43.8 degrees celsius, four degrees above normal. The minimum was recorded at 23 degrees celsius. According to the meteorological department, warm and dry westerly winds have caused the temperature to rise. The winds are essentially dry. Humidity on Wednesday ranged between 45 per cent and 19 per cent. The coming few days will be hot and dry," said weather scientist, Dr Anirudh Dubey.

Notably, the maximum temperature last year in April had gone up to 42.2 degrees celsius on the same day. This year, the mark has been reached several times already, the highest being 43.8 degrees celsius on April 29. According to data available with the Met department, the average maximum temperature in April is 39.9 degrees celsius. The maximum for the month of April was 44.1 degrees celsius in 2001.

Owing to the blazing sun, the streets remained deserted all through the day, despite Wednesday being the eve of the biggest democratic event. The candidates and their supporters were seen braving the scorching heat to give final touches to their preparations for the D-Day.

However, apprehensive about the heat likely to turn a spoilsport on the polling day, Dr Anirudh appealed to the denizens to not make the hot weather an excuse for abstaining from voting. "One must take preventive measures before stepping out in the sun, but must definitely go to polling booths to exercise their right. After all, we are empowered to speak our mind through vote and thus shouldn't let the chance to prove ourselves as responsible citizens of the country go waste," added Dr Anirudh