The IMD stated that the ongoing heatwave spell in east and south peninsular India would continue until May 5-6 and abate thereafter.
The intensity of the heatwave prevailing in east and parts of southern peninsular India came down slightly on Saturday (May 4), with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting relief from the scorching conditions in these regions after two days. The weather office reported that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions prevailed in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Telangana, with maximum temperatures settling 3-5 degrees Celsius above normal in these regions.
Moreover, a heavy to very heavy rainfall spell accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is highly likely over Northeast India on May 5 and 6. In East India, a wet spell accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is expected from May 5-9, with maximum intensity anticipated on May 6-7. Similarly, South Peninsular India is forecasted to experience a wet spell accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds during the same period, with the peak intensity expected on May 7-8.
Heatwave spell to abate
The IMD stated that the ongoing heatwave spell in east and south peninsular India would continue until May 5-6 and abate thereafter. Relief is expected as light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are predicted in Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand from May 5 to 9.
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Scattered light to moderate rainfall is also expected in east Uttar Pradesh, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh during this period. Additionally, scattered rainfall is likely in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and Karnataka from May 6 to May 9.
Maximum temperatures were recorded at 45.9 degrees Celsius in Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), 45 degrees in Mahbubnagar (Telangana), 44 degrees in Odisha’s Boudh, 43.5 degrees in Karur Paramathi (Tamil Nadu), 44.6 degrees in Nizamabad (Telangana), 45.4 in Andhra Pradesh’s Cuddapah, and 43.5 degrees in West Bengal’s Kalaikunda.
The Met office had earlier forecasted above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country in May, with a significantly high number of heatwave days expected over the northern plains, central region, and adjoining areas of peninsular India.
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IMD warns of escalating heatwaves in May
IMD data indicates that heatwaves this April were more severe compared to 2023, the warmest year on record so far. This trend is expected to continue in May, with around eight to 11 heatwave days predicted over south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Gujarat regions.
Other parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka, and Telangana may record five to seven heatwave days during the month. Normally, the northern plains, central India, and adjoining areas of peninsular India experience around three days of heatwaves in May.
