New Delhi: India is expected to witness higher than usual temperatures in the coming months, with meteorologists warning that the number of heatwave days increases in the central, eastern and north-west regions. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Monday that the period from April to June could lead to widespread altitude maximum temperatures.
“Most of northern and eastern India, central India and northwest India Plain are expected to experience two to four days more than usual,” IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said in an online press conference. Typically, in these months, the country has recorded four to seven heat wave days.
The conditions that may feel the brunt of the states include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Odisha, chhattisgarh, chhattisgarh, chhattisgarh, telangana, telangana, telangana, and hra and hra pradesh as well as Northern karnaka and karnatu and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau and anakau. In eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, temperatures may soar for as many as 10 to 11 days of heatwave conditions.
Although the lowest temperatures will be higher than usual in the country, some locations in the Northwest and Northeast may experience normal or slightly cooler nights.
In response to the forecast, the central government has called on state authorities to confirm that hospitals are ready to deal with the increase in heat-related diseases. Last year, India recorded its most heat wave days in 14 years (536), resulting in 41,789 suspected stroke cases and at least 143 deaths.
Experts warn that such statistics may not be enough to illustrate the true scale of heat-related mortality. India also experienced the earliest heat wave in February this year, surpassing last year’s record that began in early April.
IMD warns that electricity demand could increase by 9% to 10% as people rely more on air conditioning and cooling systems. The heat wave last summer raised peak electricity demand in India to 250 GW, 6.3% higher than the initial estimate.
Contrary to soaring temperatures, India is expected to see rainfall close in April, with its long-term average of 88% to 112% of 39.2 mm. The northwest, northeast, midwestern and peninsula are likely to find normal precipitation in certain parts of India.
However, IMD recommends caution warnings of areas in the Western Ghats and Karnataka in Kerala to warn of potential landslides. Northeastern states are also alert to possible floods.
