Above-normal temperatures predicted in most parts of India in May

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said most parts of India are likely to see above-normal temperatures in May but occasional thunderstorms may keep the heat from reaching the severe levels of last year.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the number of heatwave days is expected to be higher than normal -- by one to four days -- in most parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal.

Some areas of Gujarat, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, adjoining Telangana and north Karnataka are also expected to see above-normal heatwave days.

Normally, different parts of the country, except the southwest Peninsular India, experience one to three days of heatwave in May.

Mohapatra said most parts of the country are likely to receive normal to above-normal rain, except for some areas in northwest, central and northeast India.

Rainfall over north India is expected to be above normal, more than 109 per cent of the long-period average of 64.1 mm.

He said frequent and intense thunderstorms in May will likely prevent temperatures from rising to the levels seen in May 2024.