Extreme Heat In India Likely In Next 3 Months, These States To Face Worst Impact

The Indian Meteorological Department on Monday forecasted that this summer will witness a longer number of heat wave days in many areas of central, northern plains and southern India.

The weather department further said that the country is set to experience extreme heat during the months of April to June, with the central and western peninsular parts expected to face the worst impact.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that 10-20 days of heat wave are expected in different parts of the country against a normal of four to eight days.

Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju said that since there are Lok Sabha elections in the next few days and precautions have been taken for the heatwave. “We had a two-day meeting with State governments regarding preparations and issued an advisory for the same,” he added.

States to Face Worst Impact

Gujarat, central Maharashtra, north Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, north Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience the worst impact of heat waves, Mohapatra said. Above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in April, with a high probability over central south India.

While talking about the prevailing heatwave conditions, Rijiju said, “According to our projections, a huge region of the country is going to be affected with heatwave including states like West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.”

Normal to below-normal maximum temperatures are likely over some parts of the western Himalayan region and the northeastern states in April, the IMD said. Above-normal heatwave days are likely over many areas in central India and the adjoining areas of the northern plains and south India in April, the weather office said.

Two to eight days of heat wave are expected in these regions against a normal of one to three days, according to Mohapatra. Gujarat, Maharashtra, north Karnataka, Odisha, west Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are predicted to experience the worst impact of heat waves in April. Lok Sabha polls in India will take place in seven phases between April 19 and June 1.