As the monsoon season approaches, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a warning of above-normal temperatures and a higher frequency of heatwave days in several regions throughout May.
The forecast was shared during a virtual press conference by IMD Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra, who outlined detailed findings and projections after a month marked by sharp weather fluctuations in April.
May to Bring More Heatwaves
The IMD has forecast that maximum temperatures in May 2025 will remain above normal across most parts of India. Exceptions include parts of the southern peninsular and eastern regions, where temperatures may stay near or slightly below normal. Meanwhile, minimum temperatures are expected to remain elevated nationwide.
According to the IMD, the number of heatwave days is expected to increase, with 1 to 4 additional days of extreme heat likely in key states such as Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal. Similar conditions are also anticipated in parts of Gujarat, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and northern Karnataka.
April Witnessed Heatwave Nationwide
April 2025 displayed an unusual weather pattern, according to the IMD. While it was the 50th driest April for India overall since 1901, southern and central parts of the country saw exceptional rainfall. The southern peninsular region experienced its 13th highest April rainfall since 1901—and the 5th highest since 2001—while central India recorded the 28th highest April rainfall on record.
Despite patchy rains, temperatures continued to rise sharply. The maximum daily temperatures were the 8th highest ever recorded for April, and the minimum temperatures were the 9th highest. Regions across northwest, central, and northeast India saw normal to above-normal daytime temperatures, while parts of the peninsular and east-central regions experienced relatively less heat.
The heatwave activity intensified during April, hitting western India the hardest. Rajasthan and Gujarat recorded 6 to 11 heatwave days, compared to a normal average of 2 to 3 days. East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha saw 4 to 6 heatwave days, while Maharashtra and nearby areas recorded slightly fewer than average.
Between April 3 and 10, a major heatwave swept through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh . Shorter but intense heatwaves followed later in the month, culminating in 72 days of heatwave or severe heatwave conditions across various meteorological subdivisions.
Rainfall Outlook for May
Looking ahead, northern India was expected to receive above-normal rainfall in May, exceeding the long-term average of 64.1 mm. However, below-normal rainfall was predicted for parts of northwest, central, and northeast India. Other regions may see normal to above-normal precipitation levels, the IMD added.
Neutral Ocean Conditions Continue
The IMD stated that both oceanic and atmospheric indicators remain neutral. ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to persist throughout the northern summer, and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is also forecast to remain in a neutral phase.
IMD Forecast
Summarizing the forecast, IMD DG Mrityunjay Mohapatra stated, “April 2025 saw sharp weather contrasts. While some regions experienced substantial rainfall, others recorded intense heat and prolonged dry spells. May is likely to bring further heat stress, particularly in parts of western, central, and eastern India.”