Signalling the troubling trend of escalating temperatures and heightened heatwaves across vast swathes of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures for the upcoming month of May in most regions.
Particular implications will be felt on the northern plains, central areas, and adjoining parts of peninsular India. This forecast deviates from the usual pattern, as normally, northern plains, central India, and adjoining areas of peninsular India experience around three days of heat wave in May, said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD.He issued a warning about upcoming weather patterns, raising concerns for public welfare and environmental stability.
The IMD chief said, “around 8-11 heat wave days are likely over south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and Gujarat region are expected to see around 8-11 heat wave days in May…The remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka and Telangana may record five-seven heat wave days in the month.”
However, above normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in May, except most parts of northeast India, some parts of northwest and central India and adjoining areas of northeast peninsular India where normal to below normal maximum temperatures are likely, the IMD Head said at a press conference here.
Specifically, he highlighted that the northern plains, central region, and adjoining areas of peninsular India are likely to experience a significantly high number of heat wave days. The IMD also said that except for most parts of northeast India, some parts of northwest and central India, and adjoining areas of northeast peninsular India, where normal to below normal maximum temperatures are likely, above normal maximum temperatures are expected over most parts of the country in May.
Mohapatra attributed the prolonged heat wave spell experienced over east and south peninsular India in April to the absence of thunderstorms and a persisting anticyclone at lower levels over the west central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining eastern coasts of India. This weather pattern caused the sea breeze to be cut off over Odisha and West Bengal on most days.
Notably, south peninsular India recorded an average maximum temperature of 31 degrees Celsius in April, the second highest since 1901. Additionally, the average minimum temperature in April in east and northeast India was the highest since 1901, according to the IMD.
Mohapatra also highlighted a concerning trend of above-normal maximum temperatures becoming more frequent over south peninsular India since the 1980s. He pointed out that the number of heat wave days in April was the highest in 15 years in Gangetic West Bengal and nine years in Odisha. Odisha also experienced its longest heat wave spell (16 days) in April since 2016. These observations underscore the increasing severity and frequency of heat waves, which have significant implications for public health, agriculture, and the environment.
