April to see intense heatwave in India, IMD issues alert

New Delhi: It’s only April, but India is already feeling the heat! The sun is beating down hard, and the weather department (IMD) warns of a nasty heatwave coming soon.

According to the IMD report, several states will bear the brunt of the heatwave in April, with Gujarat, Maharashtra, North Karnataka, Odisha, West Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh experiencing the most severe conditions. People in these regions can expect not only intense daytime heat but also scorching heatwaves that will make even simple tasks difficult.

The heatwave is expected to grip the country for a longer duration this year. The IMD predicts scorching temperatures and heatwaves throughout the period from April to June, with the central and western peninsular regions likely to suffer the most.

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD, warned that maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal in most parts of the country during the April-June period. He cautioned that central and western peninsular India will be particularly affected. However, there is a silver lining. The IMD predicts that some parts of the Western Himalayan region, northeastern states, and northern Odisha will experience below-normal maximum temperatures.

Mohapatra also warned of above-normal hot winds blowing across most of the plains during these three months. Additionally, heatwaves are expected to last longer than usual, with durations ranging from 10 to 20 days compared to the typical 4 to 8 days. Mohapatra pinpointed Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra, North Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, North Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh as the areas likely to experience the most severe heat impact. In April itself, maximum temperatures are expected to be above normal in most parts of the country, with a particularly high chance in central South India.

While the Western Himalayan region and northeastern states might see slightly cooler April temperatures, many parts of central India, the northern plains, and surrounding areas of South India are likely to face above-normal hot days. These regions can also expect extended heatwaves lasting for 2 to 8 days compared to the usual 1 to 3 days.