IMD Heatwave Alert: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave alert for parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, with temperatures soaring to extreme levels. Rajasthan’s Barmer district topped the charts on Tuesday (April 8), recording a scorching 46.4°C, the highest in the state in the last 24 hours.

An orange alert has been issued for the hardest-hit states, which are Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, while a yellow alert has been sounded across parts of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra. Regions like Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep have not been placed under any alert.

IMD predicts heatwave for several states, sounds orange and yellow alerts

  • Rajasthan: Severe heatwave to persist on April 9, with some relief expected from April 10-11. Another heatwave phase likely to begin from April 14-15.
  • Delhi: Maximum temperatures may touch 41°C today. Heatwave conditions to continue till Wednesday, with thunderstorms expected by Thursday, offering short-term relief.
  • Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh: Heatwave conditions to persist until April 10, before easing off. Saurashtra & Kutch may also face high temperatures.
  • Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha: Heatwave and warm night conditions expected today.
  • Konkan & Goa, Marathwada, Tamil Nadu, Kerala: Likely to experience hot and humid weather on April 9.

Heatwave to sase as Western Disturbance approaches

According to IMD, a western disturbance is expected to bring temporary relief starting April 10, leading to light rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds (40–50 km/h) across Northwest India, including Bikaner, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Jodhpur divisions of Rajasthan. This shift in weather may bring down temperatures by 2 to 4°C, easing current conditions through April 11.

Heatwave to make a comeback in mid-April

“Heatwave conditions are very likely in isolated to many places over West Rajasthan today with severe heatwave in isolated pockets,” the IMD said. IMD scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar added that Delhi could see heatwave conditions for the next three days, before thunderstorms bring respite. While relief is on the horizon, the IMD also warned of a possible return of scorching heat around April 14-15, particularly over southwestern Rajasthan.