Gujarat, Maharashtra likely to face more heatwave days this summer

India could witness an intense summer this year, with western states like Gujarat and Maharashtra expected to experience a higher-than-normal number of heatwave days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).Speaking on Monday IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that several regions across the country, including parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains and eastern coastal states, are likely to see prolonged spells of extreme heat during the summer months.He pointed out that certain regions are already climatologically prone to high temperatures. “For instance, the normal temperature in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra hovers around 41–42°C at this time of year. Similarly, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana typically record temperatures between 40–44°C in May,” Mohapatra noted, adding that such conditions require preparedness even in areas that may not officially meet heatwave criteria.

STORY | Northern parts of Indo-Gangetic plains, Gujarat, Maharashtra to see higher-than-normal heatwave days: IMD chief

Northern parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains, the eastern coastal states, the western states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, and adjoining areas will have a… pic.twitter.com/KQk9YpZEEy

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 21, 2026

The IMD chief cautioned that temperatures exceeding 40°C could become increasingly common across multiple regions, particularly during April and May and in the weeks leading up to the monsoon in June. “We should be prepared for such high-temperature days,” he said.To mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations, the IMD has stepped up its outreach efforts. Mohapatra highlighted that the department has created WhatsApp groups to disseminate real-time weather alerts among outdoor workers, including street vendors and agricultural labourers. In addition, display boards have been installed in public places to inform people about heat conditions and necessary precautions.
He also underscored the role of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which uses the Common Alert Protocol to deliver weather warnings directly to mobile phones. However, Mohapatra acknowledged that gaps remain in reaching sections of the population without reliable access to mobile devices, calling for more innovative and traditional communication methods.Citing an example from Delhi, he said associations of rickshaw pullers, street vendors, and domestic workers had approached IMD last year for timely weather updates. The department responded by sharing forecasts via WhatsApp with association representatives, who then relayed the information to their members.
On the forecasting front, the IMD has adopted a multi-layered approach. It issues seasonal heatwave outlooks in advance, followed by extended-range forecasts covering four weeks, updated every Thursday. Additionally, district-level warnings for the next seven days are released daily during peak summer.The IMD had released its initial heatwave outlook for March to May at the end of February, later updating it on March 31 to include projections for April, May, and June.
According to the latest forecast, heatwave conditions are likely across several parts of the country, including eastern states such as Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and interior regions like Chhattisgarh and Telangana.The Indo-Gangetic plains — comprising Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand — are also expected to endure above-normal heatwave days. Other affected regions include parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and northern areas of Maharashtra.