‘Above-normal’ number of heatwave days, temperatures likely this summer, says IMD

Most parts of eastern and central India, the plains in the northwestern part of the country, as well as the north and east peninsula are likely to experience “above-normal” number of heatwave days between April and June, said the India Meteorological Department on Monday.

The weather department also forecast above-normal temperatures in most parts of the country during the summer, reported The Indian Express.

The extended heatwave days will likely last 10 to 11 days in eastern and central India and affect Odisha, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh in particular.

“Climatologically, heatwaves over these regions can last for four to seven days, but we expect episodes that can prolong to 10-11 days,” Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the department, was quoted as saying.

The weather agency declares a heatwave for a region when the temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees Celsius in coastal areas and 30 degrees Celsius in the hills.

At the national level, the weather agency calculates the total heatwave days as a culmination of such weather conditions in all 36 meteorological sub-divisions. For instance, a heatwave day, when experienced in five sub-divisions, is counted as five heatwave days.

The states that will be affected by the extended heatwave days during the summer are: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand,...

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