IMD Issues Red Alert As Severe Heat Wave Sweeps North And Central India Till May 29

India is set for another spell of brutal heat, with the India Meteorological Department warning that heat wave to severe heat wave conditions will grip central India until the end of May and extend over several other regions, while the southwest monsoon makes a slow but steady advance.

IMD’s latest advisory highlights a wide geographical spread of extreme weather. Heat wave conditions are expected over northwest India from May 24 to 29 and over east peninsular India between May 23 and 26, even as several southern and northeastern states prepare for heavy to very heavy rain during the same period.

Heat wave forecast and IMD warning across India heat wave

On May 24, IMD issued a red category warning for parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and nearby regions for the next two days, along with an orange category alert for much of northwest and central India for the coming five days, signalling serious risk of heat-related illness for residents.

The red alert zones face a very high chance of heat illness and heat stroke across all age groups, with IMD stressing that extreme care is needed for vulnerable people. Orange alert areas can expect very hot conditions and a higher risk of symptoms in those working outdoors or exposed for long periods.

Regional impact and temperature levels during India heat wave

IMD data from May 23 show maximum temperatures reaching 45–47°C over central India, adjoining Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and east and north peninsular India. Most other parts of the country recorded 40–45°C, except some areas in Northeast India, the western Himalayan region and parts of west south peninsular India.

The highest maximum temperature, 47.2°C, was recorded at Brahmpuri in Vidarbha. Heat wave conditions are likely in isolated or some pockets of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and across Vidarbha, until May 29, with severe heat wave conditions projected over East Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha during the same stretch.

State-wise outlook under the extended India heat wave

Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are expected to remain very hot, with heat wave conditions in isolated or some pockets until May 29. IMD also warns of severe heat wave conditions in some or many pockets across these areas until May 27, keeping the discomfort index high for residents.

Rajasthan is likely to experience heat wave conditions in isolated or some pockets until May 29. West Rajasthan, in particular, may see severe heat wave conditions in isolated or some pockets during the same period, which will add to stress on water resources, health services and daily outdoor work.

Other affected regions and hot, humid India heat wave conditions

Further east and south, IMD expects heat wave conditions in isolated pockets of Telangana until May 26, and west Jharkhand until May 25. Bihar is likely to experience heat wave conditions on May 24, while interior Odisha and Chhattisgarh could face similar weather until May 27, adding to already stressful conditions.

Hot and humid weather is forecast over Gangetic West Bengal on May 24, coastal Odisha until May 27, and coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on May 24. Warm night conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of interior Odisha until May 27, and in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Vidarbha on May 24, limiting overnight relief.

Meteorological factors behind the India heat wave pattern

Explaining the broader situation, IMD director general M Mohapatra said: "Today there may be a marginal fall in temperature because of the thunderstorm activity but that will be short-lived. Heat will increase and it will continue to impact large parts of the country over the next five days. There is a western disturbance but it is impacting only the upper reaches of Western Himalayas. There is no such activity over the plains. Only dry thunder or dust storm."

IMD reports that the current western disturbance is a cyclonic circulation over Jammu and neighbouring areas in the lower tropospheric levels. Another trough is running from Punjab to southwest Rajasthan at similar levels, and a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from May 28, which could bring some localised storms but limited heat relief.

Southwest monsoon progress alongside India heat wave

While large parts of the country heat up, the southwest monsoon has moved further into some areas of the southwest Arabian Sea, additional portions of the southeast Arabian Sea, the Comorin region, southwest, southeast and east-central Bay of Bengal, and most of the Andaman Sea as of May 24, according to IMD.

Conditions are described as favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance into more parts of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, the Comorin area, southwest, southeast and east-central Bay of Bengal, and the remaining parts of the Andaman Sea over the next three to four days, which aligns with typical early season progress.

Monsoon onset over Kerala and link with India heat wave

IMD has forecast that the monsoon is likely to reach Kerala on May 26, with a model error margin of plus or minus four days. The long-term normal date for monsoon onset over Kerala is June 1, so this projection suggests a possible slightly earlier start this year.

At the same time, IMD has signalled that the ongoing heat spell will continue until at least the end of May across central India. The government has already urged citizens to manage power use carefully, with one advisory stating: "Use electricity wisely" as rising temperatures push electricity demand to record highs in many regions.

Rainfall outlook during India heat wave and El Nino context

Despite the heat, IMD indicates that isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Northeast India and adjoining east India during the next four to five days. These showers could offer some local respite, though they also bring the possibility of localised flooding or disruption.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now estimates more than a 90% probability of El Nino conditions developing during the June, July, August period. In India, such events are usually linked with harsher summers and weaker monsoon rainfall, increasing concern over water availability and agricultural impacts if the signal strengthens.

Public health concerns remain central to IMD’s advice under the current heat wave and severe heat wave alerts. The agency warns that vulnerable groups, including infants, older people and those with chronic illnesses, face high health risks and recommends limiting heat exposure, preventing dehydration and taking measures to stay cool as temperatures stay elevated.