India is set to experience a rare combination of extreme weather phenomena over the next few days, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwaves in several northern and central states, alongside heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds in northeastern, eastern, and southern parts of the country.
According to the latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast bulletin from the IMD, two contrasting weather patterns will prevail across the nation until April 29.
Heatwave Conditions
Rajasthan is expected to endure the longest spell of heatwaves, persisting in isolated pockets until April 29. Madhya Pradesh will face heatwave conditions until April 27, Bihar until April 25, and Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, and Uttar Pradesh from April 24 to April 27. The bulletin also indicates that Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi will experience heatwaves during the first half of the forecast period, raising concerns about rising temperatures in northwestern India. Odisha, Jharkhand, and even Kerala have been added to the list of areas likely to face isolated heatwaves.
The maximum temperature recorded in the plains on April 23 was 44.5 degrees Celsius in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Temperatures over northwest India are expected to gradually increase by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius until April 26, and then remain steady from April 27 to 29. A similar rise of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius is forecast for central India.
Heavy Rainfall and Thunderstorms
Northeastern India will be the wettest region during this period. Widespread rain, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds, are likely over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Very heavy rainfall is anticipated in Arunachal Pradesh from April 25 to 29, while Assam and Meghalaya will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall from April 26 to 29. Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura will face heavy rainfall towards the end of the forecast period.
The IMD has issued alerts for thundersqualls with wind speeds of 50 to 60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, over Assam and Meghalaya from April 25 to 27. Thundersqualls are also expected over parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim on other days.
Eastern India
Unsettled weather will prevail over east India from April 24 onward. Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim will experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds throughout the week. Isolated hailstorms may occur in Jharkhand on April 26 and 27. Heavy rains are highly probable in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim from April 25 to 27. These winds and thunderstorms could disrupt transportation, reduce visibility, and damage weak structures.
Western Himalayan Region
Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are likely to witness scattered showers or snowfall, along with thunderstorms and strong winds, until April 29. This is attributed to a western disturbance moving through the region.
Southern India
Kerala, Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rayalaseema, and Tamil Nadu will experience isolated to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning in the coming days. Kerala is also mentioned among regions that may face isolated heatwaves, indicating humid conditions. Hot and humid weather is expected over coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Konkan and Goa. Muggy conditions may also prevail over coastal Gujarat occasionally.
Western India
Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada will have scattered rainfall with thundershowers until April 25. Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada could also experience hailstorms during the first few days of the forecast period.
Potential Impacts
Regions receiving very heavy rainfall may face flash floods and waterlogging, especially in low-lying areas, along with traffic disruptions and reduced visibility. Landslides or mudslides are possible in vulnerable hilly areas, particularly in the northeastern and Himalayan states.
The ongoing weather system reflects typical pre-monsoon changes, as heatwave conditions over interior parts lead to thunderstorms and moisture surges in eastern and southern regions. The simultaneous occurrence of these phenomena will require intensive monitoring in the coming days.
