Vidarbha: Brahmapuri records 47.2 degrees Celsius; red, orange alerts for some parts till May 25

A severe heatwave gripped Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, with temperatures reaching 47.2 degrees Celsius in Brahmapuri and 47 degrees Celsius in Wardha on Friday.

Maharashtra's Vidarbha region reeled under severe heatwave conditions on Friday, led by Brahmapuri at 47.2 degrees Celsius and Wardha recording 47 degrees Celsius, with the weather department saying there was little possibility of respite for the next five days.

The weather department issued a 'red' alert for severe heat conditions in Akola, Amravati and Wardha for May 23, in Akola, Wardha, Amravati and Yavatmal on May 24.

It also issued an 'orange' alert for Nagpur, Yavatmal and Chandrapur on May 24 and for Akola, Amravati, Wardha and Yavatmal for May 25.

A 'red' alert signifies extreme heat conditions for the day, and severe heat wave persisting for two days, while an 'orange' alert signifies severe heat alert for the day and severe heat wave conditions persisting for two days, officials explained.

On Friday, Brahmapuri recorded 47.2 degrees Celsius, Wardha recorded 47 degrees Celsius, Amravati 46.6 degrees Celsius, Gadchiroli 46 degrees Celsius, Nagpur 45.7 degrees Celsius and Yavatmal 45.4 degrees Celsius, they added.

''Many parts of Vidarbha are reporting warm nights with above normal minimum temperature. This creates more discomfort to humans as well as sectors related to animal husbandry, fisheries, water resources, dairy and agriculture. Such conditions are likely to prevail for at least the next five days,'' Dr Praveen Kumar of India Meteorological Centre, Nagpur told PTI.

However, the 'Extended Range Forecast' issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre predicted the possibility of light rain and dip in maximum temperature from May 28.