As scientists work on finding the link between temperature and Covid-19, the good news is India seems to be heading towards a particularly hot summer this year.
According to the India Meteorological Department, due to ongoing rainfall/thunderstorm activities, temperatures remained below normal by 2-4°C over most parts of the country this week. However, the mercury is set to rise from the first week of April.
Thereafter, the only way it should move is up, say weather experts. The government and scientists are also hoping after the 21-day lockdown ends by mid-April, a full-blown summer will be in place, slowing down the spread of Covid-19.
The Western Disturbance, which brought widespread rain and thundershowers to plains, snow in hills and pulled down temperatures earlier this week, is passing off.
Though another one is expected around March 30, weather expert Mahesh Palawat does not expect it to pull down the temperatures much. Temperatures are rising and the trend is expected to continue through April, reaching late 30°C and early 40°C by mid-April, he says.
Though the humidity levels in North India will remain relatively low, around the coasts it will be both hot and humid, factors that have been known to work against viruses of corona family.
