New Delhi: With the summer in full swing, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heatwaves in several states including Gujarat, Maharashtra and Odisha for several days till April 19. Both maximum day and night temperatures are also above normal in many parts of the country as on April 13.
Delhi is also expected to witness a gradual rise in both maximum and minimum temperatures over the next five days.
Heatwave predictions and alerts
Heat wave conditions are "very likely" in isolated parts of Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat on April 13 and 14, the IMD said in its press release on April 13. It also predicted heatwaves in Maharashtra on April 15 and 16, Madhya Pradesh from April 16-18, parts of Vidarbha in Maharashtra and interior Odisha from April 15-18, Chhattisgarh from April 16-19, Marathawada in Maharashtra on April 16 and 17, north interior Karnataka from April 15 to 17 and Jharkhand on April 17 and 18.
On Sunday, April 12, the IMD had already issued a heatwave alert for Hyderabad on April 16, when maximum temperatures are expected to range between 41 and 44 Degree Celsius; the alert also applies to several districts in Telangana from April 12 to April 16.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority on April 12, meanwhile, had warned that 51 mandals (sub-districts) are expected to face severe heatwave conditions on April 13, and that 49 mandals may experience heatwave conditions. Per the report by The New Indian Express, the intensity is expected to increase further on Tuesday, with severe heatwaves likely in 53 mandals and heatwaves in 57 mandals.
Above normal day and night temperatures
Both maximum day and night temperatures are also above normal in many parts of the country. As of April 13, maximum day temperatures were "appreciably above normal" - that is between 3.1°C to 5.0°C than usual day temperatures in parts of Konkan and Goa, western and eastern Madhya Pradesh, Saurashtra, Kutch, central Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
Maximum day temperatures were above normal (between 1.6°C to 3.0°C above normal) at many parts of north interior Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Gujarat, Marathwada, coastal Karnataka, and at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema.
The forecast also predicts a gradual rise in maximum day temperatures across Northwest India by 4-6 °C from April 13-19, in Madhya Pradesh by 3-5°C till April 16, and over Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh by 2-4°C till April 17. Maximum day temperatures are also expected to rise by 2-4 Degrees Celsius over the next few days in eastern India, south peninsular India and Maharashtra.
Minimum or night temperatures were "appreciably above normal" (3.1°C to 5.0°C) in some parts of Saurashtra andKutch, and "above normal" (1.6°C to 3.0°C) in some parts of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tripura.
Delhi temperatures set to rise
Delhi is expected to witness a gradual rise in maximum temperatures (by 4-5°C) during the next five days, per the IMD. Maximum temperatures in the region are likely to be "above normal" and "appreciably above normal" from April 14 onwards. From April 17 on, the maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to be between 39 to 41 Degrees Celsius. Delhi will also experience a gradual rise in minimum temperatures (by 3-4°C) during the next five days.
A survey published in March had found that 90% of Delhi's street vendors had to cut their working hours during the 2025 heatwave, as extreme temperatures made outdoor work unbearable and reduced customers sharply.
Meanwhile, the IMD heatwave forecast has resulted in shares of air-conditioning and power utility companies being traded higher on Monday (April 13), MoneyControlreported. Stocks of Voltas Ltd rose by 2.9 percent to Rs. 1,354.30, Blue Star Ltd rose by 1.6 percent to Rs 1,716.30, and LG Electronics India Ltd was up by 1.8 percent at Rs 1,504.50, per the report.
A study found that in 2024, heatwaves drove a 9 percent surge in power demand in India. The year was the third hottest year on record since 1850. According to global predictions, 2026 could be one of the four hottest years on record. India's electricity demand is likely to grow by around 6 per cent in the current financial year, due to warmer temperatures and lower rainfall caused by El Niño conditions (an atmospheric phenomenon) this year, according to a report by Crisil Intelligence on April 10.