The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a significant rise in maximum temperatures by 3 to 5°C across several parts of northwest and central India until April 8. This spike in temperatures is expected to trigger heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in regions including Madhya Pradesh, southern Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh, particularly around April 7 and 8.
Temperature Soars Across Western and Central Regions
On Friday, maximum temperatures hovered between 40°C to 44°C across parts of Saurashtra and Kutch, with Bhuj recording the highest at a scorching 44.5°C. Isolated areas of southwest Rajasthan and the northern Gujarat region also experienced extreme heat. Meanwhile, large parts of central and eastern India, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, recorded temperatures ranging between 36°C and 39°C.
Areas such as Punjab, west Assam, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka saw slightly lower temperatures between 32°C and 35°C. The Western Himalayan region remained the coolest with temperatures in the range of 20°C to 25°C.
Alerts Issued Across Multiple States
IMD has issued a red category warning for Gujarat on April 6 and 7, signaling a need for urgent action from local authorities to prevent heat-related health issues. Rajasthan has been placed under an orange warning, suggesting preparedness for potentially dangerous heat conditions, while a yellow alert has been issued for parts of northwest India including Delhi, advising vigilance.
These warnings are part of a broader IMD summer outlook that predicts above-normal daytime and nighttime temperatures across much of India from April to June, particularly in the northwest and eastern regions. An increase in the number of heatwave days is also expected.
Rainfall Forecast in Southern and Northeastern States
Despite the rising temperatures in the north, parts of southern and northeastern India are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall due to several atmospheric systems in play. A cyclonic circulation currently persists over northeast Assam, while another is located over the southeast Bay of Bengal. Additionally, a north-south trough stretches from Madhya Maharashtra down to Tamil Nadu, influencing regional weather.
As a result, states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and northeastern regions are expected to receive scattered rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (40–50 kmph) until April 9. Eastern states including Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand are also forecasted to receive rainfall between April 7 and 9. Isolated hailstorms are likely over Assam and Meghalaya on April 6 and Bihar on April 8.
Western Disturbance to Affect Himalayas
Looking ahead, a fresh western disturbance is expected to impact the Western Himalayan region starting April 8. The system is likely to bring light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms and gusty winds (30–40 kmph), offering some respite from the prevailing dry conditions.
As temperatures continue to climb, authorities and residents across affected regions are advised to take necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses and stay updated with IMD warnings.