It is March, and temperatures have soared past 40℃ in several parts of India, as the country faces an early onslaught of heatwaves in as many as nine states. Following the warmest February since 1901, which was nearly 1.3℃ hotter than usual, heat-related warnings have been issued, signalling an early start to a scorching summer ahead.
Unlike last year, when the heatwave began on April 5 in Odisha, temperatures shot up unusually early this year with parts of Konkan, and Coastal Karnataka experiencing heatwave conditions as early as February 27-28. Temperatures are settling around 36-41℃ in several states including Kerala, peaking at 43.6℃ at Boudh (Odisha) on March 16 –the country’s highest so far.
The alarming rise in temperatures is worrying, not only for its impact on public health, but also on agriculture, and the power sector which has suffered under the extreme weather.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declares a heatwave when the mercury hits 40℃, and the maximum temperatures are at least 4.5 to 6.5℃ above-normal in plains, but it becomes severe when the departure exceeds 6.5℃. According to MeT, the first spell of heatwave began from Western India (Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat) from March 13 to 15, gradually advancing to east Central India (Odisha) during March 15 to 18.
Heatwave conditions were observed at some places in Rajasthan, and Konkan region (March 13), Gujarat (March 13 and 14), Vidarbha (March 14-17), Jharkhand (March 16, 17), Chhattisgarh (March 16), Gangetic West Bengal and north Telangana (March 17).
This follows a record-breaking summer season last year, when eastern states suffered unusually-long, and intense heatwaves which upended lives and livelihoods. Odisha and West Bengal were among the worst-hit last summer, with heatwaves persisting non-stop for over 15 days in April. India also recorded its hottest June since 1901.
The trend continues this year too, as above-normal temperatures dominated weather since January, abruptly cutting short the winter season. The overall rainfall too remained significantly low – nearly 59 per cent below the long-period average for January and February, despite seven western disturbances impacting the Western Himalayan region in February alone.
“We are expecting above-normal temperatures over most parts of India in March, and higher heatwave days too. Heatwaves generally hit the western and east-central states first, and then gradually expand to the northern plains," said Dr DS Pai, senior IMD scientist about the seasonal outlook.
Studies show that heatwaves are becoming longer, more intense, frequent and deadlier over India, impacting much larger areas than ever before under the impact of global warming. It is not only the rise in day temperatures, but the nights are also becoming exceptionally warmer. According to the data, the four warmest Februarys have been recorded in the last 15 years alone – 2025, 2016, 2023 and 2006 – signalling the impact of climate change.
The latest forecast suggests the current spell of heatwave would subside soon with approaching thunderstorms and gusty winds over most of the heatwave-impacted region. But the mercury is forecasted to rise thereafter along with a spike in humidity levels.
