New Delhi – India is set to witness above-normal temperatures from April to June, with an increased number of heatwave days across central, eastern, and northwestern regions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Monday.
IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, in an online press conference, stated that most parts of the country will experience higher-than-normal maximum temperatures. However, certain areas in western and eastern India may see normal temperature patterns. Minimum temperatures are also expected to remain above average across most regions.
Heatwaves to Intensify Across Several States
“From April to June, north and east India, central India, and the plains of northwest India are expected to witness two to four more heatwave days than usual,” Mohapatra said.
Typically, India records four to seven heatwave days during this period. However, some regions—particularly in northwest India—could experience double the usual number of heatwave days this year, an IMD official warned.
The states most at risk of extreme heatwaves include:
- Northwest & Central India: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
- East & Northeast India: Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha
- South India: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and the northern parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Rising Temperatures to Drive Up Electricity Demand
The prolonged heat is also expected to impact electricity demand. Experts predict peak power consumption could grow by 9 to 10 percent this summer. Last year, India’s peak electricity demand reached 250 gigawatts (GW) on May 30—6.3 percent higher than projected.
With households and businesses increasingly relying on cooling appliances, power demand is likely to surge further, raising concerns about potential energy shortages.
Authorities have urged state governments to prepare for extreme weather conditions, power supply challenges, and increased health risks due to prolonged heat exposure.
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