India is set to face a split weather pattern over the next few days, with scorching heat tightening its grip on parts of the north and central regions, even as several eastern, northeastern and southern states prepare for rain, thunderstorms and strong winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its latest All India Weather Summary, has flagged contrasting conditions across the country up to April 29.
Northwest India is not spared either. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are expected to see heatwave conditions during the early part of this forecast window. The IMD has also indicated isolated heatwave conditions in Odisha, Jharkhand and even Kerala.
The highest temperature recorded in the plains on April 23 stood at 44.5°C in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Temperatures across northwest and central India are likely to climb further by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
The IMD added that skies may turn cloudy by Monday, with a chance of very light rain or drizzle on Tuesday.
Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of private weather forecasting company Skymet, told PTI, “This was the season's first heat wave, and similar weather conditions might continue till Sunday. However, very light rain might be observed from Monday due to the formation of a cyclonic circulation.”
Arunachal Pradesh is expected to receive very heavy rainfall between April 25 and April 29. Assam and Meghalaya may witness heavy to very heavy showers from April 26 to April 29. Other northeastern states are likely to see intense rainfall towards the latter half of the forecast period.
Strong winds will add to the concern. The IMD has warned of thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, over Assam and Meghalaya between April 25 and April 27.
There is also a possibility of hailstorms in Jharkhand on April 26 and April 27. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim may receive heavy rainfall between April 25 and April 27, which could disrupt transport and reduce visibility in several areas.
At the same time, hot and humid conditions are likely to persist in coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and Konkan and Goa. Coastal Gujarat may also see muggy weather intermittently.
Hilly regions, particularly in the northeast and Himalayan belt, may see landslides or mudslides in vulnerable zones.
Heat tightens grip across north and central India
According to the IMD, Rajasthan is likely to remain under prolonged heatwave conditions, with isolated pockets expected to stay affected till April 29. Other regions will also see intense heat, though for shorter periods. Madhya Pradesh may experience heatwaves till April 27, while Bihar could see similar conditions till April 25. Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha and Uttar Pradesh are expected to face rising temperatures between April 24 and April 27.Northwest India is not spared either. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are expected to see heatwave conditions during the early part of this forecast window. The IMD has also indicated isolated heatwave conditions in Odisha, Jharkhand and even Kerala.
The highest temperature recorded in the plains on April 23 stood at 44.5°C in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Temperatures across northwest and central India are likely to climb further by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
Delhi Weather Forecast
“Heatwave conditions are likely to continue in isolated areas on Saturday as well. During the day, surface winds are expected to blow at 15–25 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 35 kmph,” an IMD official said.The IMD added that skies may turn cloudy by Monday, with a chance of very light rain or drizzle on Tuesday.
Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of private weather forecasting company Skymet, told PTI, “This was the season's first heat wave, and similar weather conditions might continue till Sunday. However, very light rain might be observed from Monday due to the formation of a cyclonic circulation.”
Northeast prepares for days of heavy rain
While the north battles heat, northeastern states are heading into a wet spell. The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds across Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.Arunachal Pradesh is expected to receive very heavy rainfall between April 25 and April 29. Assam and Meghalaya may witness heavy to very heavy showers from April 26 to April 29. Other northeastern states are likely to see intense rainfall towards the latter half of the forecast period.
Strong winds will add to the concern. The IMD has warned of thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, over Assam and Meghalaya between April 25 and April 27.
Thunderstorms, lightning to impact eastern states
Eastern India is also likely to see unstable weather from April 24 onwards. Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are expected to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds through the week.There is also a possibility of hailstorms in Jharkhand on April 26 and April 27. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim may receive heavy rainfall between April 25 and April 27, which could disrupt transport and reduce visibility in several areas.
Western Himalayas under western disturbance influence
Weather activity is expected in the western Himalayan region as well. Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are likely to see scattered rain or snowfall, along with thunderstorms and strong winds, till April 29. This is being driven by a western disturbance moving across the region.South India to see mix of rain and humidity
Southern states are likely to experience a mix of rainfall and humid conditions. Kerala, Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu are expected to receive scattered to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.At the same time, hot and humid conditions are likely to persist in coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and Konkan and Goa. Coastal Gujarat may also see muggy weather intermittently.
Western India may see brief relief from rain
Parts of western India, including Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada, are likely to receive scattered rainfall with thundershowers till April 25. Hailstorms are also possible in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada during the early phase of this forecast period.Hilly regions, particularly in the northeast and Himalayan belt, may see landslides or mudslides in vulnerable zones.
