India’s monsoon progression has accelerated amid continuing heatwave conditions across large parts of the country, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stating that it may advance into several additional regions over the next three to four days.
According to the IMD, favourable conditions are developing for the monsoon to advance into the south-east Arabian Sea, the south-west and south-east Bay of Bengal, the remaining parts of the Andaman Sea, and additional areas of the east-central Bay of Bengal during the next three to four days.
The weather department said heavy rainfall is likely in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and northeastern states during this period. It added that the changing weather pattern could influence conditions across the country in the coming days.
Severe heat and heatwave-like conditions continue across several northern states before the onset of the monsoon. Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana are experiencing temperatures significantly above normal levels.
Red and orange alerts have been issued for heatwave conditions in several areas. Temperatures in some locations are reaching between 45°C and 47°C. The IMD said relief from hot winds is unlikely over the next few days.
Delhi and the National Capital Region are under an orange alert for severe heat from 23 to 27 May. Maximum temperatures are estimated at around 45°C, while minimum temperatures are expected to remain near 31°C.
Heatwave conditions may continue for several days. Experts said hot winds and dry weather are expected to remain challenging for residents of the capital region.
The weather department has issued different warnings for different regions of Uttar Pradesh. Ten districts are under red alert for severe heatwave conditions, while 17 districts are under yellow alert.
Districts under red alert include Prayagraj, Varanasi, Banda, Chitrakoot and Fatehpur, among others. Temperatures exceeding 47°C have been recorded in Banda.
Severe heat conditions continue across large parts of Madhya Pradesh, with heatwave alerts issued in 37 districts. Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna and other major cities are affected.
The IMD advised people to avoid stepping outdoors during daytime hours.
Bihar may experience mixed weather conditions, including b winds of 50 to 70 kmph and thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall in several areas, while some regions may continue to experience heatwave conditions. Weather conditions may change rapidly in cities including Patna, Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur.
Weather conditions in Rajasthan are expected to change under the influence of a western disturbance. Dust storms with wind speeds of 40 to 50 kmph are forecast, along with a temperature decline of 1°C to 2°C and the possibility of partial cloud cover and thunderstorms. Heat conditions, however, are expected to persist.
In hill states, weather conditions are expected to shift substantially. Himachal Pradesh is under an orange alert with the possibility of lightning and storms. Weather instability is forecast in areas including Dehradun, Shimla, Nainital and Manali.
Temperatures have crossed 45°C in several cities in Punjab and Haryana, where red alerts for heatwave conditions are in place.
Odisha remains under yellow alert in several districts with a possibility of light rainfall. Jammu and Kashmir may also experience adverse weather conditions, including winds of up to 70 kmph, rainfall and hailstorms. Caution has been advised in hilly regions.
Kerala is among the states expected to be most affected in southern India.
