New Delhi: The turnout in the first two phases of voting was much lower than average. For this, Heat Wave is being considered an important factor. Now according to the Indian Meteorological Department, it has issued a forecast of heat wave in Eastern and Peninsular India for the next five days. The direct impact of the scorching heat is likely to be greater in the third phase of elections to be held on May 07. IMD has requested political parties to make special preparations during public meetings and road shows to protect common supporters and workers from the heat.  

The shadow of Heat Wave is deepening over the Lok Sabha elections. Amid growing concern over below-average turnout during the first two phases of voting, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a Heat Wave forecast before the third phase of voting to be held on May 7. Voting is to be held in 6 states. 

The greatest danger is in West Bengal and Bihar.
The greatest danger is in West Bengal and Bihar where a red alert has been issued for the next 3 to 4 days. An orange alert has been issued for the interior areas of Karnataka where elections for 14 seats are to be held on May 07. There is a heat wave alert in Goa also. 

Soma Senroy, Senior Scientist, Meteorological Department, told NDTV, "We have issued a four-day red alert till May 2 for Gangetic West Bengal. We have issued a 3-day red alert for Odisha. For Bihar, we have issued 3 A 3-day red alert has been issued...A 3-day red alert has also been issued in Rayalaseema. For Karnataka, we have issued an orange alert."

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, there are 25 districts in the country where, according to the maximum temperature data available in the National Data Center between 1921-2024, extreme maximum temperatures have been recorded at 5.30 pm on April 28. Now concerns are being raised about the impact of heat waves on voting as well as election campaigns during the scorching heat. 

More impact of heat wave this year
Soma Senroy, Senior Scientist, Meteorological Department told NDTV, "This season the heat wave is being recorded more than other years. There is a danger of heat waves in Eastern India and Peninsular India. We are generally To avoid the heat wave, people are requested to leave their homes as little as possible, wear loose clothes, and keep plenty of liquid in stock. They should keep as much stock of water as possible for the common people and should not come out of their homes to drink water in the heat wave-affected areas. Obviously, along with political workers associated with political parties and election campaigns, common people gathered in political rallies and roadshows will also have to remain alert.