NEW DELHI: Heat wave days are expected to be higher than normal in most parts of the country between March and May, the India Meteorological Department said in its monthly forecast on Saturday.
These parts include western Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, southern and eastern Maharashtra, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of northern Karnataka and northern Tamil Nadu.
“During the March-April-May season, the increased probability of heatwaves may pose significant risks to public health, water resources, energy demand, and essential services, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions,” IMD Director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference here.
However, during March, maximum temperatures are likely to be normal to below normal in many parts of the country, except in northeastern and eastern India, some parts of the western Himalayan region and central and peninsular India.
Meanwhile, minimum temperatures are likely to be normal in most parts of the country except some parts of northwest India, south of the peninsula and along the east coast, where normal to below normal temperatures are likely during March.
“This may be because average rainfall over India is likely to be normal during March 2026. The average rainfall over the country during March, based on data from 1971 to 2020, is about 29.9 mm,” he said.
While many parts of the country are expected to see normal to above normal rainfall in March, northeast India and some parts of northwest and east-central India may see below normal rainfall.
The Meteorological Department also noted that weak ‘La Niña’ conditions are currently prevailing in the tropical Pacific Ocean. But in the following months, neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation conditions may return, according to global model projections and the International Institute for Marine Development’s Monsoon Mission Climate Prediction System.
Reviewing the weather conditions that prevailed during the month of February, the IMD said that the rainfall across India last month was the lowest since 2001. There were also no cold waves or cold days prevailing during the month of February.
The International Meteorological Institute said, “The absence of any active western disturbances and their lack of interaction or convergence with the eastern region are the main reasons for the decrease in snow/rainfall during the month.”
Many parts of the country, except the south of the peninsula and some parts of central India, witnessed normal to above normal temperatures.
Many parts of India witnessed normal temperatures above the normal minimum, with the exception of the eastern peninsula and east-central India.
“During February, India witnessed the tenth highest maximum temperature, third highest minimum temperature, and fifth highest average temperature since 1901,” the institute said.
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