New Delhi, April 5: India is heading into an intense early summer spell, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a 3-5°C rise in maximum temperatures across northwest and central India till April 8. A heatwave to severe heatwave is likely to sweep across Madhya Pradesh, South Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and adjoining West Uttar Pradesh between April 7 and 8.
On Friday, Bhuj in Gujarat recorded the highest maximum temperature at 44.5°C, sounding alarm bells across western India.
Heatwave Alerts and Rising Temperatures
IMD has issued heatwave warnings of various intensities:
Red Alert: Gujarat (April 6–7) – Authorities must take immediate action to prevent heat-related emergencies.
Orange Alert: Rajasthan – Urges preparedness for severe heat.
Yellow Alert: Parts of Northwest India including Delhi – Signals extreme temperature watch.
Mahesh Palawat, Vice President (Climate and Meteorology) at Skymet Weather, explained the phenomenon:
“An anticyclone over the Arabian Sea is pushing hot winds towards Rajasthan and Gujarat. This is leading to heatwave conditions in the region. Delhi-NCR is also likely to be impacted. Recording heatwaves as early as March is highly unusual.”
On Friday, temperatures ranged across various regions:
40-44°C: Parts of Saurashtra, Kutch, SW Rajasthan, North Gujarat
36-39°C: Large parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, MP, Chhattisgarh, East Rajasthan, TN, Kerala, Maharashtra
32-35°C: Observed in Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
20-25°C: Recorded over the Western Himalayan Region
Rain Relief for South and Northeast India
While the north and central plains bake, the south and northeast are set to receive relief in the form of rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds due to multiple weather systems.
Systems in Play:
Upper air cyclonic circulation over Northeast Assam
Cyclonic circulation over Southeast Bay of Bengal
North-south trough extending from Madhya Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu across Interior Karnataka
Forecast Highlights (Until April 9):
Isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (40–50 kmph) over Kerala, Mahe, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and northeast India
Rainfall and thunderstorms expected in Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal (April 7–9)
Hailstorm alerts over Assam and Meghalaya (April 6) and Bihar (April 8)
A fresh Western Disturbance is also set to affect the Western Himalayan Region from April 8, likely to bring light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms and 30–40 kmph winds.
IMD’s Summer Outlook
Earlier on March 31, IMD had predicted a hotter-than-normal summer, with above normal day and night temperatures across most parts of the country. An increase in heatwave days is expected, especially over northwest and eastern India between April and June.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe
With summer making an aggressive early start, IMD advises citizens—especially in Delhi, Haryana, MP, Gujarat, and Rajasthan—to take precautions against heatstroke and dehydration. Local authorities are urged to activate emergency plans to tackle the escalating heatwave threat.
