Hotter Than Ever? Heatwave To Intensify Across North India, Delhi To Touch 45°C, Says IMD

With maximum temperatures rising across the country, the India Meteorological Department has forecast intensifying heat and heatwave conditions across several regions on Sunday, warning of widespread discomfort for residents.

The weather department said heatwave conditions are expected to continue over Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and the Konkan & Goa region till May 22.

Hot and humid weather is also likely to persist across several parts of north and central India during this period.

According to the IMD, maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 3-4 degrees Celsius over the Western Himalayan region in the coming days. Temperatures are also expected to increase across the plains of

northwest India, with most parts of the country likely to witness hotter conditions over the next few days.

In Delhi, the IMD has forecast a further rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures over the next three days.

For Sunday, the national capital is expected to witness a partly cloudy sky with chances of thundery development during the afternoon and evening. Surface winds with speeds of 20-30 kmph, gusting up to 40 kmph, are also likely during the day.

The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to remain around 44 degrees Celsius. Clear skies are forecast in the following days, with temperatures potentially touching 45 degrees Celsius next week.

Rainfall, Thunderstorm Likely In Several Regions

Despite the heatwave conditions, several regions are also likely to receive rainfall and thunderstorms.

The IMD said northeastern states including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph.

In southern India, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are also expected to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.

Light rain has also been forecast over Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.