CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI, May 1 — The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of hotter-than-usual weather across north-west India through May, with an increased frequency of heatwave days forecast for states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
This projection comes even as a wet spell is expected in the initial five days of the month.
In its monthly climate outlook issued Wednesday, the IMD said maximum temperatures are likely to remain above normal across most regions of the country, barring some pockets in the southern peninsular zone. Minimum temperatures are also projected to stay elevated through the month.
“North-west India, in particular, is expected to witness a higher number of heatwave days during May,” the IMD stated. “Rainfall is most likely to be above normal across the country, although some parts of north-west India may see below-normal precipitation.”
Temperature readings over the last 24 hours indicate the trend has already begun to take shape. Bathinda in Punjab recorded the state’s highest maximum temperature at 42.8°C, while Adampur reported the lowest minimum temperature at 22.3°C.
The IMD bulletin noted that maximum temperatures were “appreciably above normal”—up to 5°C higher than the seasonal average—in southwestern parts of Punjab, and around 3°C above normal in nearby regions.
However, southeastern Punjab bucked the trend with maximum temperatures dipping up to 3°C below normal.
As climate variability continues to drive extreme weather patterns, the IMD’s outlook suggests residents and authorities across the northwestern belt should brace for a challenging summer month.
