India Meteorological Department forecast coming true

A heatwave means temperatures exceeding 40°C in low-lying terrains, or 30°C in the mountains. India's Meteorological Department has launched a Heat Index. It takes into account humidity factor as well. The Meteorological Department had forecast an unusually high number of heatwave days from April to June. There is no common global index on what constitutes a heat wave.  The heat index is derived using the heat index equation similar to what is used by National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA. The heat index provides information about the impact of humidity on the high temperatures.

The colour codes used for Experimental Heat Index are as follows:

Green: - Experimental heat Index less than 35 deg C

Yellow: - Experimental heat Index in the range 36-45 deg C

Orange: - Experimental heat Index in the range 46-55 deg C

Red: - Experimental heat Index greater than 55 deg C

The Heat Index is implemented on experimental basis only across the entire country including the State of Andhra Pradesh. The Heat index for Bhubaneshwar and Ahmedabad under Heat Action Plan is being done under project mode by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with local agencies like Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH).