IMD: Heatwave to continue till May 29, brace for above-normal monsoon rains

With temperature touching over 49 degrees Celcius in Rajasthan, the India Meteorological Department  (IMD) has warned that the heatwave lashing across northwest India and adjoining parts of the central region will continue. 

According to IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the country, except for parts of southern peninsular India, can expect normal to above-normal maximum temperatures in June too. "Above-normal heatwave days are likely in northwest India and the adjoining parts of the central region in June. Normally, northwest India and the adjoining areas record two to three heatwave days in June. This time, we expect four days of heatwave in this region," he said.

The forecast comes as Rajasthan swelters under intense heat. Weather experts in the state warn that the temperature is unlikely to witness any significant change till Thursday.  "For the first time in this season, Phalodi in Rajasthan has crossed the temperature mark of 50 degrees Celsius while places like Jaisalmer and Barmer have witnessed a surge of seven degrees Celsius in the night temperature. There is no immediate relief from the intense heatwave and warmer nights in the next two to three days. The maximum temperatures are unlikely to witness any significant changes until May 29,"  Radheshyam Sharma, director, of Meteorological Centre, Jaipur, told ANI. 

The IMD attributed the heatwave in northwest India and parts of the central region in the second half of May to the lack of rainfall, stronger dry and warm winds and an anti-cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and adjoining Gujarat. 

However, the heat wave will decline from May 30, thanks to the Western disturbance. "There could be thunderstorm activity in northwest India and rain in the western Himalayan region," he said.

"Due to the weakness of anti-cyclonic conditions over the state, the maximum temperature is likely to drop by two to three degrees Celsius in some parts of Eastern Rajasthan from May 29 and in some parts of Western Rajasthan from May 30. In the first week of June, maximum temperatures are likely to be recorded near normal in most parts of the state," Sharma added.

Above-normal rainfall

The IMD has predicted above-normal rainfall this monsoon season across the country. Indian Meteorological Department chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said: "The South West Monsoon rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 106% of the long-period average with a model error of 4%. Thus, above-normal rainfall is most likely over the country as a whole," Mohapatra added.

The favourable La Nina conditions, expected to set in between August and September, are also set to contribute to above-average rainfall.