NEW DELHI: India is set to experience an unusually hot summer from April to June, with heatwave days expected to double in several states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned on Monday. Central and eastern India, along with the northwestern plains, are likely to see prolonged spells of extreme heat.
IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that most parts of the country will witness above-normal maximum temperatures, except for some regions in western and eastern India, where temperatures may remain near normal. Minimum temperatures, however, are predicted to be above average in most regions.
“From April to June, north, east, and central India, as well as the plains of northwest India, are expected to see two to four additional heatwave days than usual,” Mohapatra told PTI. Typically, India records four to seven heatwave days in this period.
States most affected
The states expected to witness more intense heatwaves include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and the northern parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Some states, such as eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, could see as many as 10 to 11 heatwave days, Mohapatra added.
Rising temperatures and health risks
In April, maximum temperatures are forecasted to be higher than usual across most of India, while some extreme southern and northwestern regions may see near-normal temperatures. Minimum temperatures will remain elevated across most of the country, except for a few areas in the northwest and northeast.
The central government has already urged states to ensure hospitals are equipped to handle heatstroke cases. Last year, India witnessed a record-breaking summer with 536 heatwave days—the highest in 14 years—leading to 41,789 suspected heatstroke cases and 143 confirmed deaths.
However, experts warn that heat-related deaths could be underreported due to inadequate data collection.
Electricity demand surge expected
With rising temperatures, electricity demand is expected to grow by 9-10% this summer. Last year, peak electricity demand crossed 250 gigawatts on May 30, exceeding projections by 6.3%. The IMD cautioned that climate change-driven heat stress is a significant factor behind rising energy consumption.
The IMD predicts normal rainfall in April, ranging between 88-112% of the long-term average of 39.2 mm. Some areas in northwest, northeast, west-central, and peninsular India could receive normal to above-normal rainfall. However, Mohapatra also warned of possible landslides in the Western Ghats region of Kerala and Karnataka, as well as potential flooding in northeastern states in April.
As India gears up for a hotter-than-usual summer, authorities are urging preparedness to mitigate the effects of extreme heat on public health and infrastructure.