From 44.5°C heat to thunderstorms: IMD forecast for multiple states in India; what travellers need to know
ETimes April 24, 2026 11:39 AM
India is about to witness an unusual combination of extremely adverse weather phenomena over the next few days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting the occurrence of heatwaves in some northern and central states, along with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds in northeastern, eastern, and southern parts of the country. As per the latest bulletin on All India Weather Summary and Forecast from the IMD, India will witness two very different types of weather trends over the period up to April 29.
As per the IMD, the state of Rajasthan will have to endure heatwaves for the longest duration among all other states, and this situation will persist in certain isolated pockets until April 29. Other states which will have to cope with heatwave conditions include Madhya Pradesh, which is likely to witness this condition until April 27; Bihar till April 25; Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha and Uttar Pradesh, from April 24 to April 27.
The bulletin also suggests that heatwave conditions are expected to prevail over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi during the first half of the forecast period, further exacerbating worries about increasing high temperature levels in north-western parts of India. Regions like Odisha, Jharkhand and even Kerala have also been added to the list of areas likely to face isolated heatwaves.
The maximum temperature recorded in the plains of India on April 23 was 44.5 degrees Celsius in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. The maximum temperature over northwest India is expected to increase gradually by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius up to April 26 and later between April 27 and 29. An increase of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius has also been forecast over central India.
Northeastern India would be the wettest region of the country for this forecast period. As per IMD, widespread rains, along with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds are likely to take place over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
Very heavy rainfall is anticipated over the states of Arunachal Pradesh during April 25 to April 29. The states of Assam and Meghalaya are also expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall during April 26 to April 29. Meanwhile, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura would face heavy rainfall towards the later part of this forecast period.
The IMD has further issued alerts about the formation of thundersqualls, where wind speed would be up to 50 to 60 kmph and would gust up to 70 kmph over the states of Assam and Meghalaya from April 25 to April 27. Thundersqualls are also expected over parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on other days.
Unsettled weather pattern would prevail over east India from April 24 onwards. Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim would experience thunderstorms along with lightning and gusty winds throughout the week. Isolated instances of hailstorm could occur in Jharkhand on April 26 and April 27.
There will be a high probability of heavy rains in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during April 25-27. The winds and thunderstorms may disrupt transportation systems and cause visibility issues and damages to weak buildings in the districts.
In addition, the Western Himalayan Region is also going to witness weather activities. Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will most probably witness scattered showers or snowfalls with thunderstorms and strong winds over several days until April 29. This phenomenon is attributed to a western disturbance traveling through the region.
Finally, there will be rain and heat in Southern India. Kerala, Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rayalaseema, and Tamil Nadu will witness isolated to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning for the coming days. Kerala is also mentioned among the regions that may face isolated heatwaves in the future period, indicating humid conditions.
Hot and humid weather conditions can be expected over coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Konkan and Goa. Muggy weather conditions might also prevail over coastal Gujarat occasionally.
In the western region of India, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada would have scattered rainfall along with thundershower activities until April 25. Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada regions could also experience hailstorm activities during the first few days of the forecasted period.
The regions that have the possibility of receiving very heavy rainfall could face flash floods and waterlogging conditions due to low-lying regions along with traffic pollution and reduced visibility. Sliding or mudslides are also likely in some vulnerable hilly areas, particularly those located in northeastern states and Himalayan states.
The ongoing weather system indicates the usual changes expected at the end of April, as pre-monsoon heat wave conditions over the interior part of the country lead to thunderstorms and moisture surge in eastern and southern parts. Both these phenomena happening at the same time will require intensive monitoring in the coming days.
