PANAJI
Goa may not have recorded the highest temperature among several other cities across India, but the combination of heat, humidity, and intense ultraviolet radiation has made outdoor exposure particularly harsh, with the UV index reaching the “extreme” category on Monday.
As per various weather channels, the State recorded a maximum temperature of around 32°C, but the heat felt closer to 38.1°C, with humidity ranging between 69% and 77%. Temperatures remained around 33°C through much of the morning and early afternoon, easing only slightly to 32°C around 3.30 pm and 31°C by 4.30 pm.
The intense UV exposure was not confined to Goa, with parts of southern India also facing extreme levels despite markedly different weather conditions. Less than 100 km away, Karwar too was in the extreme UV category, while Hyderabad recorded similarly intense UV conditions despite a temperature of around 32°C and a “feels like” reading of 34°C. Bengaluru, meanwhile, was considerably cooler at 28°C, with light showers and a feels-like temperature of 29°C, yet still recorded extreme UV levels.
Further north, New Delhi was also under extreme UV exposure even with temperatures around 26°C and a considerably milder heat perception than Goa.
The UV level in Mumbai, on the other hand, was in the very high category, where the maximum temperature was about 32°C and a feels-like temperature of 35°C – marginally lower than Goa.
For Goa and other areas where UV levels have risen above normal, health guidance advises people to limit exposure during the midday hours, seek shade and use protective clothing, hats and sunscreen when outdoors.
“Take full precaution. Unprotected skin will be damaged and can burn in minutes. Avoid the sun between 11 am and 3 pm, cover up, and wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen... white sand and other bright surfaces reflect UV and increase UV exposure,” one weather channel cautioned. Another advised wearing light coloured and breathable fabrics to beat the heat while also drinking plenty water.
Goa, already facing deficit rainfall this monsoon, is forecast to remain under ‘very high’ UV exposure on Tuesday before returning to the ‘extreme’ category for the following three days.
