Kamal Ghorui
Dehradun: After a brief spell of pleasant weather earlier this month, Uttarakhand is witnessing a sharp rise in temperatures, with both plains and hill regions recording above-normal readings, signalling the onset of warmer conditions ahead of peak summer.Dehradun: After a brief spell of pleasant weather earlier this month, Uttarakhand is witnessing a sharp rise in temperatures, with both plains and hill regions recording above-normal readings, signalling the onset of warmer conditions ahead of peak summer.According to the latest observations, Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 37°C on Wednesday, about two degrees above normal, while Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar district touched 38°C — the highest so far this season. The hills, too, have not been spared: Mukteshwar recorded temperatures above 28°C, nearly five degrees above normal, while New Tehri saw the mercury cross 27°C.Meteorologists have attributed the spike to clear skies and the absence of western disturbances in recent days. Increased solar radiation, coupled with dry northwesterly winds and low moisture levels, has pushed up daytime temperatures, particularly in the plains. “During the past 24 hours, maximum temperatures remained above normal in the plains and normal to appreciably above normal in the hills of Uttarakhand,” officials at the Regional Meteorological Centre said.With no significant rainfall reported across the state, the warming trend is expected to persist over the next few days. Officials said temperatures are likely to remain around current levels for at least four to five days.Experts have warned that the continued rise could lead to increased heat stress, especially in low-altitude areas, and advised people to take precautions during peak afternoon hours as the state transitions into hotter summer conditions.
