IMD forecasts severe heatwave, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across India: Know when will this heatwave end and what this means for travellers

Travellers planning journeys across India this week may need to keep a close watch on the weather, as the country is set to witness sharply contrasting conditions over the coming days. Severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue across several northern and central states, while heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast over the Northeast and parts of eastern India, according to the latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).The bulletin, issued by the National Weather Forecasting Centre on the night of April 26, stated that the country’s highest maximum temperature was recorded in Akola, where the mercury climbed to 46.9 degrees Celsius. Temperatures also stayed significantly above normal across several parts of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi and neighbouring areas, creating harsh daytime conditions that could affect sightseeing, road journeys and other outdoor travel plans.IMD has warned of heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat and Vidarbha till April 28. Warm night conditions are also likely in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, meaning little overnight relief for travellers.At the same time, the weather agency has forecast intense rainfall activity over Northeast India and adjoining eastern states. Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is expected over the Northeast till April 30, while West Bengal and Sikkim may continue to receive rain till May 2.Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya till May 2, and over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura till May 1. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are also expected to witness heavy rain, with very heavy rainfall likely on April 28.Thundersqualls with wind speeds of 50 to 60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, may affect parts of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. Isolated hailstorm activity has also been forecast over Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand.For Telangana and neighbouring south-central regions, IMD has predicted isolated light to moderate rain along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds till May 2. Similar weather is expected over Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala during the week. Kerala and Mahe may receive heavy rainfall between April 29 and May 1, something holidaymakers should factor into beach and outdoor plans.Northwest India is also likely to see a change in weather due to an active western disturbance. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may receive rain or snow along with thunderstorms and gusty winds over the next few days, while isolated hailstorms are possible in the Himalayan states.IMD said maximum temperatures are likely to gradually fall by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius over northwest, central, east and northeast India in the coming days, offering some relief from the current heat.