BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: Stay indoors, keep umbrella handy and wear cotton. The Indian Meteorological Department'sforecast for April, May and June packs more sizzle with Karnataka expected to see more heatwave days than normal, below-normal rainfall and rain may bring relief only in a few pockets of the state.
The
IMD
's three-month outlook says most of the country will experience above-normal temperatures with the southern peninsula will see more heatwave days, particularly in April.
Barring north-interior Karnataka that is likely to receive above-normal rainfall, most of south-interior and coastal Karnataka is expected to receive poor rainfall in April.
North Karnataka, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, north Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience the worst impact of heatwaves.
Releasing its outlook, IMD said 'normal to below-normal' night (minimum) temperatures for isolated areas in the northeast and northwest India, and 'normal to above-normal rainfall' in northwest India for April.
Union earth sciences minister Kiren Rijiju said the country is anticipated to experience extreme
weather
conditions in the upcoming two-and-a-half months and this coincides with the general elections in which around a billion people are expected to exercise their franchise. "It is going to be very challenging for all of us. Since we are the most populous country in the world and face extreme weather conditions, it makes it necessary for India to prepare in advance," said Rijiju.
The NDMA has already issued heatwave advisory for general elections, asking poll panel to pre-emptively guide states in safeguarding against heatwave incidents.
IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said above-normal heatwave days are likely over most parts in the plains during April-June. Ten to 20 days of heat wave are expected in different parts of the country against a normal of four to eight days, he added. As far as April is concerned, "above normal" maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in the month, with a high probability of it over central south India.
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