Weather Report: 46°C Heat, Dry Spells Ahead? IMD Issues Major Weather Warning For India

India faces a tough week of heatwave conditions, with many cities heading towards 45-46°C, while IMD also projects that El Niño may weaken the monsoon, raising concerns for both urban residents and farmers already dealing with temperatures mostly between 40°C and 45°C in large parts of the country.

The India Meteorological Department stated that maximum temperatures have risen 5-6℃ above the usual levels at several stations, and warned that east Uttar Pradesh could see a severe heatwave if this gap crosses 6.5°C, as the heat has already disturbed routine activities and left little relief even in the evenings.

IMD heatwave alert and monsoon forecast for India

On Monday, IMD issued a dedicated alert covering May 18 to May 24, placing orange and yellow warnings over Jammu, Ladakh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh, signalling that temperatures in these regions may rise further during the period.

Delhi, where the mercury already stays above 40°C, is expected to face heatwave conditions in some localities between May 19 and May 22, with IMD saying that day temperatures in the capital could reach about 45°C, adding further strain on households and outdoor workers already coping with high heat stress.

The highest reported temperature so far was 46.4°C in Banda, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, while most other major regions recorded daytime values in the 40-45°C band, and the agency predicts that many areas will see daytime temperatures climb another 3-4°C this week, making heatwaves stronger across large parts of the country.

IMD heatwave advice for health, India farmers and monsoon

Nights bring little comfort, as minimum temperatures are close to 29-30℃ in parts of Rajasthan and Vidarbha, which adds to heat stress and affects sleep, and health experts caution that such persistent warmth can increase heat-related illnesses, especially among infants, older people and those living with long-term medical conditions.

"A gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3°C is likely over many parts of Northwest India from May 18 to May 24, and by 3-4°C over Chhattisgarh till May 21," warned IMD, urging people to stay hydrated, drink water even if not thirsty, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and cover their heads and wear lightweight clothes.

Farmers have been told to give light but frequent irrigation to vegetables, moong, fruit plants, orchards and onion nurseries, maintain good moisture in standing sugarcane, cotton and summer fodder crops, and cover poultry shed roofs with grass, so that both crops and livestock face less damage from the intense heat.

With the heat building, attention also turns to changing monsoon prospects, as IMD says the southwest monsoon reached the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on May 16 and is likely to arrive over Kerala on May 26, but the four-month season from June to September may end with below-normal rainfall if El Niño forms around July, affecting water and agriculture planning.

IMD’s outlook combines a fierce heatwave phase with the likelihood of a weaker El Niño-affected monsoon, so residents, city authorities and farmers in India will need to plan for both short-term heat risks and the possibility of reduced rain between June and September.