May Heat May Be Mild: IMD Predicts Above-Normal Rainfall to Soften Summer Intensity

New Delhi, May 1, 2025: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has delivered a significant weather update for May, offering some much-needed relief to the public amid rising temperatures. According to IMD Director-General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, while several parts of India are expected to experience above-normal daytime temperatures, frequent light rains and thunderstorms will help cap heat levels, keeping them below last year’s record-breaking extremes.

Heatwave Days May Rise in Select States

Regions such as Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal’s Gangetic belt are projected to see 1 to 4 more heatwave days than normal, IMD reported. Other areas including Gujarat, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, northern Karnataka, and parts of Telangana are also likely to face a higher number of heatwave days than usual.

Typically, India experiences 1 to 3 heatwave days in May across much of the country except southwestern peninsular India. This year, a few zones may see an extended spell, but it is not expected to reach 2024’s intensity.

Rainfall Expected to Ease Temperature Extremes

The IMD has forecast above-normal rainfall for most parts of India in May, excluding a few regions in northwest, central, and northeastern India. Notably, north India could receive up to 109% of its long-term average May rainfall of 64.1 mm, which would help reduce heat levels significantly.

Dr. Mohapatra explained that isolated thunderstorms and periodic rainfall will be a defining feature of the month. This weather pattern will prevent the temperature from breaching 2024’s dangerous highs, particularly in densely populated and agriculturally sensitive regions.

April Recorded 72 Heatwave Days Across India

Reviewing April 2025, IMD recorded 72 heatwave days across the country:

• Rajasthan and Gujarat experienced 6 to 11 days, significantly above the usual average.

• East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha logged 4 to 6 days, exceeding the standard 2 to 3 days.

• In eastern-central India, Maharashtra, and nearby northern peninsular regions, heatwave conditions persisted for 1 to 3 days, slightly below the long-term average.

Outlook: Relief in Sight

Despite the projections of slightly elevated temperatures in several states, the IMD has reassured that heat levels in May 2025 are unlikely to replicate the harsh conditions of May 2024, largely due to the expected moderating influence of rainfall and thunderstorms.

The latest forecast brings hope for agricultural communities and urban populations alike, as the cooling effect of pre-monsoon showers is set to offer some respite from India’s scorching summer.