India to witness above-normal heatwave days in March-May: IMD

India to witness above-normal heatwave days in March-May: IMD

India is expected to experience above-average temperatures in March across most regions of the country following a warmer February, the weather office said on Friday, which could threaten winter-sown crops such as wheat, chickpea and rapeseed.

Both maximum and minimum temperatures in most parts of the country would be above-average in March, DS Pai, a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department said at a virtual news conference.

Rainfall over all of India, 10.9 mm, was the 18th lowest since 1901 and the 5th lowest since 2001. Rainfall over South peninsular India (1.2 mm) was the 10th lowest since 1901 and the 4th lowest since 2001, said IMD.

"During the upcoming hot weather season (March to May (MAM)), above-normal maximum temperatures are most likely over most parts of the country, except over southern parts of Peninsular India, and isolated pockets of Northeast India where normal to below-normal maximum temperatures are likely," said IMD.

The weather office said during March to May season 2025, above-normal number of heatwave days are likely over most parts of the country except over Northeast India, extreme north India and southwestern and southern parts of Peninsular India.

The rainfall during March 2025 averaged over the country as whole is most likely to be normal (83-117% of LPA), said IMD.