Heatwaves Poised to Grip Specific Regions
May 2026 is shaping up to be a month of conflicting weather patterns across India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting above-normal heatwave days in several key areas. Specifically, regions along the foothills of the Himalayas, the east coast states, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are slated to experience a heightened number of days with extreme heat. This forecast arrives as minimum temperatures are expected to run above normal across a significant portion of the country.
Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the IMD, indicated that while many parts of the nation might see warmer nights, certain areas are in for more intense heat during the day. These include:
FootHills of the Himalayas
East Coast States
Gujarat
Maharashtra
Contrasting these regions, some pockets of northwest and central India, alongside adjoining peninsular and northeastern areas, might still record normal to below-normal minimum temperatures.
Read More: Kerala Yellow Alert: 7 Districts Expect Heavy Rain Today
Rainfall Forecast Shows a Divided Picture
Simultaneously, the IMD anticipates a generally wetter May for much of India. Rainfall is projected to be above normal over most of the country. However, this widespread precipitation comes with a caveat. Parts of east, northeast, and east-central India are likely to witness below-normal rainfall, creating a localized drought risk within a generally wet outlook.
Mixed Temperature Trends Amidst Global Climate Signals
The IMD's outlook also points to above-normal daytime temperatures in southern peninsular India, parts of the northeast, and northwest India. This contrasts with the anticipated above-normal heatwave days in other specific locations, painting a complex picture of regional temperature variations. While the report mentions an 'El Nino signal strengthens' in one instance, it does not elaborate on its direct impact on this particular month's forecast.
A Look Back: Recent Heat and Humidity
Last year, May typically saw one to three days of heatwaves across most of India, with exceptions in southwestern peninsular regions. However, 2025 saw some areas, including Rajasthan and Gujarat, reporting significantly more heatwave days – between six to eleven – exceeding the usual two to three. Maharashtra and parts of east-central India also experienced heat, though slightly below the normal count. The IMD reported a substantial 72 heatwave days across India in April 2025, a detail underscoring the increasing intensity of heat events.
Read More: London hotter than Majorca on Friday, May 2nd, 2025
