India’s weather landscape is currently split between rising heatwaves and localized rainfall alerts. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a heatwave warning for parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, where temperatures are expected to soar between April 15 and 18. Maximum temperatures in North-West India are projected to rise by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius by April 19, making it a challenging week for residents. The combination of clear skies and intense solar radiation is driving this rapid warming across the central and western corridors of the country.
The long-term outlook for the year also remains cautious. Dr. M. Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD, stated that the country might receive only 92% of its Long Period Average (LPA) rainfall this monsoon season. This below-normal prediction for the June-September period could have implications for the agricultural sector. Historically, the average rainfall stands at 87 cm, but this year it is expected to reach only about 80 cm, continuing a trend of climatic fluctuations that have been observed over the last few years.
However, relief is expected for some regions. Down south, parts of Karnataka and Kerala are likely to experience thunderstorms and moderate rainfall until April 17. This southern moisture surge, along with the rain in the Northeast, provides some balance to the extreme heat building up in the north. Meanwhile, the Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are looking at a brief window of localized rain and thunder between April 17 and 19, which could temporarily lower the local temperatures in the hill stations.
