Overview

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts above-normal maximum temperatures for most of India in May, excluding parts of southern and eastern regions.
• Heatwave days are expected to exceed the usual count by one to four days in northern, central, and eastern states, as well as pockets of western and southern India.
• Frequent and intense thunderstorms are predicted to moderate peak temperatures, preventing conditions as extreme as May 2024.
• Rainfall is projected to be normal to above-normal in many areas, though parts of northwest, central, east, and northeast India may experience below-normal precipitation.
• April 2025 recorded 72 heatwave days, reflecting a continuing trend of intensifying heat extremes, with public health and energy systems under strain.