Most Parts Of India To Have Above-Normal Heatwave Days From April To June 2024: IMD

Rainfall is likely to be normal in April. The IMD forecasts rainfall in April to be 88 to 112 per cent of the long-period average.

Most parts of India will experience above-normal temperatures and above-normal heatwave days from April to June 2024, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced. This period is known as India's hot weather season.

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Most parts of India will experience above-normal temperatures and above-normal heatwave days from April to June 2024, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced. This period is known as India's hot weather season. Most parts of the southern peninsula, central India, east India, and plains of northwest India will witness above-normal heatwave days during the hot weather season. 

Only some areas of east and northeast India, and pockets of northwest India will have normal to below-normal maximum temperatures. 

During the month of April, there will be normal to below-normal maximum temperatures in isolated pockets of east, northeast, and northwest India. 

In the IMD maps showing the forecast of maximum and minimum temperatures during the hot weather season, Delhi has been marked in the above-normal temperature category. 

Rainfall forecast

Rainfall is likely to be normal in April. The IMD forecasts rainfall in April to be 88 to 112 per cent of the long-period average, which refers to the average rainfall of a particular region calculated by taking into consideration the rainfall recorded in that place over a certain interval, say, 30 or 50 years. 

Most parts of northwest India, several regions of central India and northern peninsular India, and some parts of east and northeast India are likely to get normal to above-normal rainfall during April. 

Meanwhile, regions along India's eastern and western coasts, and some parts of east, northeast, and west central India are likely to witness below-normal rainfall.

What research suggests about heat waves in India

In 2022, unprecedented heat waves affected India. There was an early onset of heat waves, and a larger area affected for unusually long durations, resulting in record-breaking temperatures. Climate change increased the likelihood of the 2022 heatwave by 30 times, according to the World Weather Attribution, an academic collaboration that studies the impact of climate change on extreme meteorological events.

Heat waves in India have started to occur earlier than expected, with climate change being one of the key driving factors. A 2023 report on the first assessment of heat action plans in India conducted by the Centre for Policy Research said that heat waves are projected to come earlier, stay longer, and become more frequent, and the risks of extreme heat will be experienced disproportionately. 

The urban heat island effect is likely to exacerbate heat waves.