Temperatures in May to be above normal: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that most parts of the country will face a higher number of heat wave days and above normal temperatures in May, typically the peak of summer for most parts of northern India.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI:

Normally, heat waves prevail over northern plains, central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India for about three days in May but, this year's forecast shows heat wave days likely to exceed normal by 1-4 days across most of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, and parts of Gujarat, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana and north Karnataka.

The month will also feature more stormy weather, prompting the agency to also forecast higher than usual rain in a month that is mostly dry. "Most parts of the country will see thunderstorm activity during next one week. The general population should be cautious and take all necessary precautions to avoid injury or impact," said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.