Above-normal heatwaves and rain likely in May: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its monthly forecast on Friday that above-normal heatwave days are likely in some parts of the foothills of the Himalayas, east coast States, Gujarat and Maharashtra in May. The department also highlighted that the rainfall averaged over the country as a whole during May is most likely to be above normal, with the onset of the southwest monsoon over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands expected around May 14-16.
This came as India continues to experience higher-than-average temperatures that are pushing energy demand to a record high. As the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, India’s energy supplies are already under pressure since the United States-Israeli conflict with Iran disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
“During May 2026, maximum temperatures are expected to be normal to below normal across many parts of the country. However, above-normal temperatures are likely in many parts of southern peninsular India, some parts of the northeast, and northwest India,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), adding that minimum temperatures are expected to be above normal across many parts of the country.
“However, many areas of northwest India, along with some parts of central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India and southern parts of northeast India, are likely to experience normal to below-normal minimum temperatures,” he said in a Statement.
The rainfall during May 2026 averaged over the country as a whole is most likely to be above normal (>110% of LPA). The normal to above-normal rainfall is likely over most parts of the country, except some parts of east and northeast India, and east central India, where below normal rainfall is likely.
On the onset of the southwest monsoon, Mohapatra said, “The monsoon may arrive over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands around May 14-16.”
Currently, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions over the equatorial Pacific are evolving towards El Niño — the periodic warming of waters in the central Pacific Ocean — conditions.
The latest Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecasting System forecast indicates the development of El Niño conditions during the southwest monsoon season, according to the IMD.
