Heatwave grips Mangaluru as temperatures soar to 38.8°C

Mangaluru: The city recorded the second-highest temperature in the country on Wednesday, with the mercury soaring to 38.8 degrees Celsius.

This has raised concerns among the public as the temperature continues to rise day by day. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of a further increase of two to three degrees Celsius in the coming days.

The temperature recorded in Mangaluru on Wednesday was the highest since 2010, surpassing the previous high of 37.9 degrees Celsius in 2017.

On March 2, just six days ago, the city had already recorded the highest temperature in the country at 37.9 degrees Celsius. Currently, the prevailing temperature is 5.4 degrees Celsius higher than the usual temperature for this time of year.

Meanwhile, Karwar recorded a temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, which is six degrees Celsius higher than usual for this season.

According to IMD, many parts of the state are likely to experience an increase of three degrees Celsius in temperature in the coming days. However, rain is expected after March in some parts of the state, while coastal areas are likely to receive rain in March itself.

The primary reason for the increase in temperature is the dry weather and heat wave blowing from North to South. Moreover, in April, the temperature in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada is expected to increase by six degrees Celsius, according to IMD reports.