New Delhi: India is likely to face a hotter-than-usual summer, with above-normal heatwave days forecast across large parts of the country between March and May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
States expected to see more intense heatwave conditions include West Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, southern and eastern Maharashtra, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, along with parts of north Karnataka and north Tamil Nadu.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra warned that the March–April–May period could bring serious challenges. Prolonged spells of extreme heat may strain water resources, push up electricity demand, and disrupt essential services.
Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and people with existing health conditions, are likely to be the most affected.
March May Begin Mildly
Despite the seasonal warning, March itself may not start on an extreme note. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain normal to below normal in many parts of the country.
However, Northeast and East India, along with pockets of the Western Himalayan region and parts of central and peninsular India, may see relatively higher daytime temperatures.
Minimum temperatures are forecast to remain largely normal across India in March, except for some areas in northwest India, the southern peninsula, and stretches along the east coast, where nights could turn slightly cooler than usual.
Rainfall Outlook
Rainfall across the country in March is likely to be near normal. The long-period average (LPA) rainfall for March, based on data from 1971 to 2020, stands at about 29.9 mm.
While several regions may receive normal to above-normal showers, parts of northeast India and some areas in northwest and east-central India could experience below-normal rainfall.
The IMD also noted that weak La Niña conditions are currently present over the equatorial Pacific. However, global forecasts and the department’s Monsoon Mission Climate Forecast System suggest that neutral ENSO conditions could develop in the coming months.
Reviewing last month’s weather, the IMD said February recorded the lowest rainfall since 2001. The country also did not witness any cold wave or cold day conditions during the month.
The lack of active western disturbances and limited interaction with easterly winds were cited as key reasons for subdued rainfall and snowfall.
Temperature data paints a stark picture. February saw the 10th highest maximum temperatures, the third highest minimum temperatures, and the fifth highest mean temperatures recorded in India since 1901.
With winter fading quietly and heat building early, the coming months are expected to test both infrastructure and public health systems across much of the country.
