Large parts of India are set to remain under an intense spell of heat through the final week of May, with the India Meteorological Department warning that severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist across central and northwest India over the coming days.
According to the latest advisory issued on Saturday, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are expected to continue over central India till May 29, while several northern states, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, are also likely to experience prolonged extreme temperatures.
At the same time, the weather office said parts of southern and northeastern India may witness heavy rainfall activity as the southwest monsoon continues its gradual advance.
Central India braces for extreme temperatures
According to the Hindustan Times, the IMD said temperatures across central India and adjoining regions have already crossed dangerous levels, with several places recording between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius on Friday. The highest maximum temperature in the country was recorded at Brahmpuri in Vidarbha, where the mercury touched 47.2 degrees Celsius.
Severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha over the next several days. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan are also expected to remain under intense heat stress till at least May 29.
IMD Director General M. Mohapatra said temporary thunderstorms may bring brief relief in some areas but warned that the cooling effect would be short-lived. He noted that the ongoing western disturbance is currently impacting only the upper Himalayan region and not the northern plains.
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Red alerts issued as health risks rise
According to the Hindustan Times, the weather department has issued red-category heatwave warnings for parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and adjoining regions for the next two days, while orange alerts remain in place across large parts of north and central India.
The IMD warned that people in red-alert areas face a very high risk of heat-related illnesses and heat stroke, especially vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
Warm night conditions are also expected in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Vidarbha, and Odisha, limiting nighttime cooling and increasing health risks further. Authorities have advised people to avoid direct heat exposure, remain hydrated, and minimise outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours.
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Monsoon advances as El Nino concerns grow
According to the Hindustan Times, even as northern India battles extreme heat, the southwest monsoon has advanced further into parts of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea.
The IMD said conditions remain favourable for further advancement over the next few days and reiterated that the monsoon is likely to reach Kerala around May 26, slightly ahead of the normal June 1 onset. However, concerns remain over the possible development of El Niño conditions during the June to August period, which are often associated with harsher summers and weaker monsoon rainfall in India.
