IMD warns of more heat waves, sizzling summer

A brief reprieve from the heat is expected in March before above-normal temperatures grip most of the country till May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced in its monthly forecast on Saturday.

- Jayashree Nandi

“During the March to May season 2026, above-normal number of heatwave days are likely over most parts of east and east central India, many parts of southeast Peninsula and some parts of the northwest and west central India during March to May 2026. The normal number of heatwave days is likely over the remaining parts of the country. During March 2026, above-normal heatwave days are likely over isolated regions of Gujarat & Andhra Pradesh. The remaining parts of the country are likely to experience normal heatwave days,” the IMD said ina statement.

For example, IMD's spatial forecast shows above normal heat wave days this summer over parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, parts of Uttar Pradesh among others. In these states heat wave days may be 3 to 15 days above normal.