India will experience a significant shift in weather on Monday, April 13, as the last of the Western Disturbances departs, leaving behind predominantly clear skies and rising temperatures. This transition eliminates the cooler, milder conditions that had been a feature of the preceding weeks.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that approximately 95 per cent of the country will witness minimal cloud cover as of Monday. This clear weather is expected to contribute to increasing heat levels, particularly across the plains of central India and coastal regions.

Delhi’s temperature is projected to surpass 40 degrees Celsius by April 15 or 16, marking a notable increase from earlier readings. The meteorological data indicates that temperatures in the capital will increase significantly, nearing a heatwave classification by the middle of the week.

Forecast for Temperature Increases Across India

The northern regions, including Delhi, will see maximum temperatures ranging between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, exceeding recent averages by two to four degrees. While these figures are alarming, they do not yet qualify as a heatwave, which the IMD defines as temperatures reaching at least 40 degrees Celsius on the plains or deviations of 4.5 degrees above the seasonal normal.

In southern and eastern states, conditions are expected to worsen, with temperatures in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat, and southern Rajasthan likely reaching between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius on Monday. Telangana, in particular, has been placed under an orange alert, expecting daytime highs of 41 to 44 degrees Celsius, compounded by dry conditions that amplify heat accumulation.

By April 14 and 15, isolated areas in central and peninsular India could witness temperatures peaking at 44 degrees Celsius. Areas at risk for a heatwave include coastal Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh, along with selected regions in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Regional Variations and Impacts of Heat

While much of the country anticipates dry conditions, the northeast region will experience isolated heavy rainfall. Specifically, Sikkim is forecasted to have thunderstorms on April 13, with Arunachal Pradesh expecting heavy rain between April 14 and 18. This rainfall will be a deviation from the otherwise hot and dry conditions prevailing in the majority of the country.

In Jammu and Kashmir, light rain is possible mid-week due to a weak Western Disturbance, but significant weather changes are not expected before April 20. Thus, the majority of the nation will continue to endure increased temperatures and minimal precipitation.

The IMD has cautioned that the rising temperatures pose substantial health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups including the elderly, children, and outdoor workers. There is also concern over the impact on agriculture, particularly for wheat farmers facing terminal heat stress during the critical harvesting season. This climatic shift marks the end of the relatively cool April experienced by many regions, including Delhi’s previously recorded lowest April temperatures in over a decade.

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