Hotter summer, more heatwaves ahead: IMD

Summer to be warmer than normal: Forecast

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI: Summer, which begins on April 1, and goes on till June 30, will be hotter, with more so-called heatwave days in many states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its summer forecast.

The weather office's summer forecast is followed only a little less closely than its monsoon forecast; the intensity and length of the summer has a bearing on lives and livelihoods.

The forecast of higher-than-normal temperatures was not surprising, given that every month since April 2024 has seen a record in terms of heat in at least some parts of the country, although it comes in the context of a particularly benign (albeit, dry) March.

Above normal day and night temperatures are likely over most parts of the country along with above normal heatwave days especially over northwest and east India, IMD said in its forecast on Monday. Normally there are four to seven heat wave days between April and June but this time there could be between six and 10. "Up to 10 heat wave days or even more can be expected, especially over east India," said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.