IMD forecast: Heat wave alert in 4 states, rainfall over west, northwest and south India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted heat wave conditions likely over Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 4-5 days.

The maximum temperatures will be in the range of 39 to 42 degree Celsius over many parts of central and east India and some parts of Northwest India. These are above normal by 3 to 5 degree Celsius over many parts of Gangetic West Bengal, some parts of Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu division, Punjab and North India.

The IMD also said that maximum temperatures are very likely to be above normal by 2-4°C some parts of Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Interior Tamil Nadu and Kerala during next 3-4 days.

IMD forecast: Check full weather update here

According to the weather agency, in Northwest India, the maximum temperatures are very likely to rise gradually by about 1-2°C during next 48 hours and gradual fall about2-4°C thereafter.

In Central India, no significant change in maximum temperatures very likely during next 24 hours and rise gradually by about 2°C during subsequent 4 days.

Interior Maharashtra Maximum Temperatures are very likely to fall by 2-4°C during next 24hours and rise gradually by 2-4°C during subsequent 4 days.

South India No significant change in Maximum Temperatures very likely during next 2 days and rise gradually by 2-4°C during subsequent 3 days.

East India & Gujarat State: No significat change in Temperatures very likely during 5 days.

A heat wave is declared if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, at least 37 degrees in coastal areas and at least 30 degrees in hilly regions, and the departure from normal is at least 4.5 degrees.

Rain forecast

Rainfall is expected over west, northwest and south India. The weather agency said, "Light/moderate isolated rainfall with thunderstorm /lightning very likely over over Western Himalayan Region from night of 15th to 19th over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Rajasthan on 17th-19th April."

Similar weather conditions will prevail over east India. Light to moderate scattered rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning is very likely over Odisha during 16th-19th April, according to IMD.

In Central India, Light to moderate scattered rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning very likely over Vidarbha during next 5days;over Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on 15th,18th and 19th April.