Heatwave abates in north India under influence of western disturbances

The intense heatwave prevailing in north India since June 7 abated on Thursday under the influence of a western disturbance affecting the region, though hospitals continued to report heat-related fatalities among patients admitted over the last few days. The India Meteorological Department said no heatwave is predicted over most parts of the country in the next four to five days. The monsoon is predicted to cover central India and most parts of northwest India between June 27 and July 3. The primary rain-bearing system did not make any progress between June 13 and 19, extending the wait for rains in north India amid the sweltering heat, it said. On Thursday, maximum temperatures ranged from 40 to 42 degrees Celsius in many parts of west Rajasthan; some parts of south Uttar Pradesh and north Madhya Pradesh; and isolated pockets of Haryana, Delhi, East Rajasthan, and Gujarat. "Heatwave conditions have abated from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, North Rajasthan, North Madhya Prade