India, May 27 -- India is witnessing one of the sharpest weather contrasts of the season as extreme heat continues to grip northern and central states while thunderstorms and heavy rainfall impact southern, eastern and Himalayan regions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), several states remain under severe heatwave warnings with temperatures crossing 45degC in parts of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh while at the same time, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and northeastern states are experiencing widespread rain and gusty winds.

Meteorologists say the weather pattern is being shaped by strong dry continental winds in the north and moisture-laden systems advancing from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal ...