Kanpur: The district continued to reel under intense heat and humidity on Tuesday as the mercury maintained its upward trend, with the maximum temperature rising to 37.4 degrees Celsius, one degree higher than Monday’s 36.5 degrees Celsius.Adding to the discomfort was the soaring heat index, which reached dangerous levels between 43 and 46 degrees Celsius during the daytime despite the actual temperature remaining between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius.The combination of rising temperatures, high moisture levels and sultry weather forced residents to seek refuge under trees and shaded areas, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast a revival of monsoon activity from Wednesday that could finally bring some relief.High humidity pushed the heat index—the “feels-like” temperature—to between 43°C and 46°C, making outdoor conditions significantly more uncomfortable than the actual air temperature.Intermittent cloud cover during the day failed to provide respite and instead intensified the sultry conditions. The maximum relative humidity was recorded at 72%, while northwesterly winds blew at 15.4 kmph, creating weather conditions similar to a heat wave.According to the IMD, partly cloudy skies, increased humidity and the possibility of light rain or thundershowers are expected across all districts of the Kanpur division over the next 24 hours. The department has forecast an increase in rainfall activity from Wednesday, July 15, with the expected revival of monsoon conditions.Weather experts said strong sunshine and high humidity are likely to dominate daytime conditions, while partly cloudy skies accompanied by thunderstorms and scattered showers may develop during the evening or late-night hours.SN Sunil Pandey, weather expert at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (CSA), said atmospheric moisture and enhanced moisture inflow are likely to keep skies cloudy and bring strong winds across the Kanpur division between July 14 and July 16. He said isolated areas may receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds, thunderstorms and lightning.Pandey also cautioned that strong surface winds are expected during this period and that hot and humid conditions will continue whenever the sun breaks through the clouds, even as rainfall activity gradually increases.
