New Delhi, April 20 -- A fresh spell of extreme weather is set to sweep large parts of India this week, with the India Meteorological Department warning of heatwave conditions across northwest, central and adjoining eastern regions even as heavy rain triggered flooding and a fatality in Assam.
According to the IMD, heatwave conditions are very likely to affect isolated pockets of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, East and West Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, West Uttar Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha, along with some parts of East Uttar Pradesh, between April 20 and April 25. The weather office said the conditions could persist for the next four to five days, raising concerns over rising temperatures and public health risks.
The department also forecast hot and humid conditions in several coastal and eastern regions, including Gangetic West Bengal between April 20 and 26, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from April 20 to 22, and Kerala, Mahe, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam through April 24. Coastal Gujarat is expected to experience similar conditions on April 24 and 25. Warm night conditions are likely in parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha early in the week, with Odisha and Chhattisgarh also expected to see uncomfortable night temperatures.
Alongside the heat, the IMD said moderate to intense thunderstorms could develop across parts of south, central, east and northwest India on Monday. There is also a possibility of hailstorms in isolated pockets of Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh.
In response to the forecast, state governments have begun rolling out mitigation measures. In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said coordinated action is underway to manage the heatwave, including ensuring electricity supply for a projected peak demand of about 34,500 megawatts. All thermal power plants are operating at full capacity, while the replacement of old meters with smart meters has been paused to maintain stability.
He said authorities are arranging water sprinkling on roads, shaded public spaces, health camps at construction and industrial sites, and dedicated treatment facilities for heatstroke patients. Free drinking water is being made available at tehsils, farms, hospitals and anganwadi centres. Measures are also being implemented to safeguard livestock and wildlife, including heat action plans in zoos and sanctuaries.
Temperatures across Uttar Pradesh have already surged. Prayagraj recorded 44.4 degrees Celsius, while Varanasi touched 44 degrees. Banda reported 43 degrees and Sultanpur 43.3 degrees. Cities such as Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Agra and Aligarh registered maximum temperatures between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius, all above normal levels. In Delhi, the maximum temperature reached 39.5 degrees Celsius, 2.7 degrees above average, with the minimum at 22.8 degrees.
Neighbouring states are also experiencing intense heat. Rajasthan's Kota recorded 42 degrees Celsius, while Barmer, Alwar and Chittorgarh all crossed 41 degrees. Haryana's Narnaul touched 42 degrees, nearly five degrees above normal, and Punjab's Bathinda recorded 41 degrees. Chandigarh reported a high of 38.1 degrees, three degrees above normal.
In Jharkhand, authorities have revised school timings under a yellow alert for heatwave conditions from April 20 to 22. Students up to Class 8 will attend classes from 7 am to 11.30 am, while senior students will continue till noon. Districts including Garhwa, Palamu, Chatra, Latehar, Bokaro and Dhanbad are among the most affected.
In sharp contrast, Assam faced a different extreme. Torrential overnight rain inundated Guwahati, submerging roads and homes and bringing traffic to a standstill. The state disaster management authority reported that a woman died after falling into a drain at Maligaon Chariali near the Northeast Frontier Railway headquarters. Water levels reached knee-deep on most roads and rose to chest height in some areas, leaving vehicles stranded and ambulances delayed for hours. Power outages were also reported across several localities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.