IMD Issues Comprehensive Weather Alert: Nation Faces Dual Extremes of Rainfall and Heatwaves
The India Meteorological Department has released a detailed weather forecast bulletin predicting dramatic weather contrasts across India over the coming seven days. Issued at 07:49 PM IST on April 22, 2026, the bulletin warns of simultaneous heavy rainfall systems and intense heatwave conditions affecting different regions of the country.
Northeast India Braces for Significant Rainfall Activity
According to IMD predictions, Northeast India will experience the most substantial rainfall activity throughout the week. The states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are expected to witness widespread to fairly widespread precipitation.
Specific warnings include:
- Arunachal Pradesh faces heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings between April 25 and April 28
- Assam and Meghalaya will experience heavy to very heavy rain from April 26 onward
- Thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, are forecast over Assam and Meghalaya on April 26
- Isolated hailstorm activity is likely over Assam and Meghalaya
Northwest India: Western Disturbance Brings Changing Conditions
A fresh western disturbance currently active over Northwest India will bring changing weather patterns to the region. Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand can expect light to moderate rainfall or snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds between April 24 and April 28.
Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi may receive scattered rain and thunderstorms from April 26 to April 28, providing temporary relief from prevailing heat conditions.
Eastern and Southern Regions: Scattered Rainfall Expected
Across East India, states including sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha are forecast to receive scattered rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds throughout the week. Bihar is likely to experience thundersqualls with wind speeds of 50-60 kmph between April 24 and April 26.
In South Peninsular India, Kerala, Telangana, coastal Karnataka, interior Karnataka, and coastal Andhra Pradesh will witness isolated rainfall activity with thunderstorms and lightning until April 26. The IMD has specifically warned of isolated hailstorm activity over north interior Karnataka on April 22 and 23.
Western India: Rainfall with Hailstorm Potential
Weather activity is also expected over West India, where Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada will experience isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds until April 25. Hailstorm conditions are likely in Madhya Maharashtra until April 24.
Severe Heatwave Conditions Across Multiple Regions
While several regions prepare for rainfall, many northern, central, and eastern states continue to face intense heatwave conditions. The IMD has issued specific heatwave warnings for multiple regions:
- Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi: Heatwave conditions very likely in isolated pockets on April 24 and 25
- West Uttar Pradesh: Heatwave conditions on April 23 and 25
- East Uttar Pradesh: Heatwave warning until April 26
- Rajasthan: Heatwave conditions expected between April 24 and April 26
- Madhya Pradesh: Heatwave forecast from April 23 to April 26
- Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh: Heatwave influence from April 24 to April 27
- Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal: Heatwave conditions on April 23
Hot and Humid Weather Conditions
The IMD has also flagged hot and humid weather conditions over coastal and humid regions. Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh will remain hot and humid from April 22 to April 26, with similar conditions expected in Gangetic West Bengal until April 25, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until April 24, Kerala and Mahe until April 24, and coastal Karnataka on April 23. Coastal parts of Gujarat may also witness hot and humid weather on April 24 and 25.
Temperature Records and Projections
Temperature records from April 22 highlight the severity of current conditions. The highest maximum temperature in the plains was recorded at 44.6 degrees Celsius in Jharsuguda, Odisha, while the lowest minimum temperature over the plains was 16.0 degrees Celsius in Bhilwara, Rajasthan.
Temperature projections include:
- Northwest India: Maximum temperatures likely to rise gradually by 3-5 degrees Celsius until April 26, followed by slight fall on April 27-28
- Central India: Expected rise of 2-4 degrees Celsius until April 26
- Maharashtra: Temperature increase expected until April 25
- East India: Maximum temperatures may decrease by 2-3 degrees Celsius from April 26-28 due to onset of rain
Atmospheric Systems Driving Weather Patterns
The active weather pattern is driven by multiple atmospheric systems including:
- Western Disturbance over middle tropospheric westerlies
- Trough from Marathwada region to Comorin
- Cyclonic circulations over northeast Assam, southwest Rajasthan, and north Tamil Nadu
- Sub-tropical westerly jet stream over central and northeast India
Safety Precautions and Advisory
The IMD has cautioned citizens in rain-prone areas about potential flash floods, waterlogging, poor visibility, traffic disruption, and damage to fragile buildings. Residents in storm-affected and hailstorm-affected areas are advised to stay indoors during severe weather, avoid shelter beneath trees, unplug electronic gadgets, and steer clear of waterways.
With simultaneous rains, storms, and heat waves affecting different regions, the coming week presents significant challenges to weather resilience across the country.
