Most parts of India are likely to face a searing summer with more heat wave days during April-June but certain pockets of north-west India, including Delhi-NCR, will be comparatively better off with India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting “normal to below-normal” day (maximum) temperatures for the region during the three-month period.
Releasing its seasonal outlook for April-June, IMD even predicted “normal to below-normal” night (minimum) temperatures for isolated areas in north-east and north-west India, including Delhi-NCR. Most parts of north-west India are also likely to have “normal to above-normal rainfall” in April.
The situation, however, will be different in other parts of the country during the April-June period. IMD said while most parts of India may face hotter days, central and western peninsular parts may face the worst impact of “above normal” temperatures.
Earth sciences minister Kiren Rijiju said extreme weather conditions were anticipated in the upcoming two-and-a-half months that will coincide with the parliamentary polls. “It is going to be very challenging for all of us. Since we are the most populous country in the world and face extreme weather conditions, it makes it absolutely necessary for India to prepare in advance,” he said at the press conference where IMD released its seasonal outlook.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has already issued heat wave advisory for the general elections, asking Election Commission to guide states and UTs in safeguarding against heat wave incidents.
IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said above normal heat wave days were likely over most parts in the plains during April-June. Ten to 20 days of heat wave were expected in different parts of the country against a normal of four to eight days, he added.
Mohapatra underlined that Gujarat, central Maharashtra, north Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, north Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh were likely to experience the worst impact of heat waves.
