India weather alert: IMD reports heatwave conditions alongside heavy rainfall and thunderstorms

NEW DELHI: Several parts of India continue to witness highly contrasting weather conditions, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and an intensifying heatwave affecting different regions simultaneously, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to the IMD, very heavy rainfall (12-20 cm) was recorded in isolated pockets of Assam, while Nagaland reported heavy rainfall between 7-11 cm. Meanwhile, thunderstorms accompanied by squally winds of 50-80 kmph affected Marathwada, Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam & Meghalaya.

Gusty winds of 30-50 kmph were also reported across several parts of Northeast, East, North, Central, West, and South India. Marathwada recorded wind speeds as high as 83 kmph. Isolated hailstorms were reported in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

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The India Meteorological Department is working tirelessly to forecast heatwaves and protect us all. Did you know a heatwave is declared when temperatures soar above 40°C in plains, 37°C in coastal areas, or 30°C in hills? Severe heatwaves can cross… pic.twitter.com/cBm8LWC69g

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) April 21, 2026

Meanwhile, a fresh heatwave spell has intensified, beginning in Haryana and extending to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and East Madhya Pradesh. Maximum temperatures ranged between 40°C and 45°C across Vidarbha, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. Wardha and Akola in Maharashtra recorded the highest temperature at 45°C.

According to the IMD, day temperatures remain significantly above normal in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and parts of central and northern India, while most other regions are near normal. Minimum temperatures ranged between 13°C and 26°C, with Gurdaspur (Punjab) recording the lowest at 16.5°C in the plains.

On the weather systems side, a Western Disturbance persists as an upper air cyclonic circulation over Jammu & Kashmir, with additional systems over southwest Rajasthan and northeast Assam. Troughs extend from Telangana to Comorin and east Bihar to southwest Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, another Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from April 23.

Under the influence of these systems, Northwest India is likely to receive scattered rainfall and snowfall over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh between April 24-26. In Northeast India, widespread rainfall is expected to continue, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya between April 20-22, and again later in the month.

East India, including Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, is expected to witness thunderstorms, gusty winds, and occasional thundersqualls. Central India may also experience thunderstorms and hailstorms over Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha.

Meanwhile, South and West India, including Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, are likely to see scattered rainfall with thunderstorms, with hailstorm activity in some regions.

Heatwave conditions are likely in isolated pockets of Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gangetic West Bengal between April 20-25.

Hot and humid conditions will persist across coastal and eastern regions, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Gangetic West Bengal, while warm night conditions are expected in several central and eastern states.

Delhi is expected to remain under heatwave conditions from April 20-23, with temperatures ranging between 41°C and 44°C. Authorities have warned of moderate health risks and advised avoiding heat exposure, staying hydrated, and using protective clothing while outdoors.

According to officials, thunderstorms and hailstorms may cause damage to crops, trees, power lines, and weak structures, with Bihar and Odisha particularly at risk of thundersqualls. Heavy rainfall in Northeast India may also lead to flooding, landslides, traffic disruption, and crop damage.

Residents have been advised to stay indoors during severe weather conditions, avoid sheltering under trees, and strictly follow safety advisories.

Meanwhile, farmers in affected regions have been advised to protect crops using hail nets, ensure proper drainage, harvest mature crops early, and adopt irrigation and mulching practices to reduce heat stress.(ANI)