The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh warning for severe heatwave conditions across large parts of the country, with extreme temperatures likely to persist over northwest, central, eastern and peninsular India over the next six to seven days.
According to the IMD, heatwave conditions are expected to continue in isolated areas of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh from May 22 to May 28. The weather agency also warned that severe heatwave conditions are likely to prevail over East Uttar Pradesh and East Madhya Pradesh during the same period.
The IMD said Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are also likely to witness heatwave conditions in isolated and some pockets between May 22 and May 28. Severe heatwave conditions are expected in parts of these regions from May 24 to May 27.
Rajasthan is likely to remain among the worst-affected states, with heatwave conditions forecast throughout the week from May 22 to May 28. The IMD has specifically warned of severe heatwave conditions in parts of West Rajasthan between May 24 and May 28 as temperatures continue to soar across the desert state.
Apart from north India, several states in central, eastern and southern regions are also expected to face extreme weather conditions. The IMD stated that Vidarbha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Telangana are likely to experience heatwave or severe heatwave conditions on different dates during the forecast period.
The warning also extends to parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, indicating that even hill states may witness unusually high temperatures over the coming days.
In addition to daytime heat, the IMD warned of warm night conditions in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha from May 22 to May 24. Odisha is expected to experience warm nights from May 22 to May 26, while Telangana may witness similar conditions on May 22 and May 23.
Warm night conditions can significantly increase health risks as temperatures remain elevated even after sunset, offering little relief from the daytime heat. Weather experts advise people to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
The IMD continues to monitor the evolving weather situation closely as large parts of India prepare for an extended spell of intense summer heat.
