IMD chief: Northern Indo-Gangetic plains, Gujarat, Maharashtra to see more heatwave days in 2026

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that Northern parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains, the eastern coastal states, and western states including Gujarat and Maharashtra are likely to experience a higher-than-normal number of heatwave days in 2026. He highlighted climatologically prone areas where temperatures may exceed 40°C, with Vidarbha typical May temperatures around 41–42°C and Uttar Pradesh and Haryana approaching 40–44°C during May. He emphasized preparedness for such high-temperature days. Mohapatra described outreach efforts, including WhatsApp groups for outdoor workers (street vendors and laborers), display boards indicating heat events and recommended actions, and dissemination through the Common Alert Protocol of the National Disaster Management Authority to reach mobile users. He noted that some groups may lack mobile access and that associations—such as rickshaw pullers, street vendors, and domestic workers—have been engaged to relay information via association secretaries. He referenced a past interaction at the Global Heat and Cooling Forum where these associations requested information. The IMD reaffirmed that higher temperatures are expected each year, especially in April and May, with ongoing seasonal forecasting: a heatwave outlook issued one season in advance, an extended four-week outlook updated weekly, and a seven-day district-level warning during the summer months. The department’s forecast also indicates heatwave conditions in April–June across many areas, including north coastal states (e.g., southern West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh) and adjoining regions, as well as the Indo-Gangetic plains (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand), parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, southern Madhya Pradesh, and northern Maharashtra.

The IMD issued an updated heatwave outlook for April, May, and June, refining expectations as the hot season approaches. The update supplements the earlier outlook and aims to address evolving conditions with a four-week extended range perspective each Thursday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued its first heatwave outlook and summer temperature outlook covering March, April, and May. This outlook was announced by the IMD ahead of the hot-season period, establishing a baseline expectation for heat, including areas likely to see elevated temperatures.