**Executive Summary**
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive advisory regarding developing heatwave conditions across Northwest, Central, and Peninsular India, with temperatures currently reaching up to 44.5°C. For Northwest India, these conditions are expected to persist without significant change until April 27, 2026, followed by a gradual decline. Citizens and local administrations are urged to adopt safety precautions and monitor official updates to mitigate health risks such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Temperature Trends and Forecasts**
* Current maximum temperatures range between 40°C and 44°C, with some regions experiencing temperatures 5°C or more above normal levels.
* Heatwave conditions are projected to persist for the next seven days in parts of Northwest India, Central India, and select southern regions.
* Northwest India will see stable high temperatures until April 27, while Central regions will experience a rise followed by a decline.
* The seasonal outlook for April to June 2026 predicts above-normal heatwave days across East, Central, and Northwest India, as well as the Southeast peninsula.
* **Regional Weather Alerts**
* **Heatwave alerts:** Impacting Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Kerala, and Mahe.
* **Hot and humid conditions:** Expected in coastal states including Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
* **Warm night conditions:** Likely to persist in the northern plains, compounding heat stress during nighttime hours.
* **Safety and Mitigation Measures**
* Citizens are advised to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly during peak afternoon hours.
* Recommended actions include staying adequately hydrated, wearing light and breathable clothing, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities.
* Comprehensive "do’s and don’ts," preparedness measures, and sector-specific advisories have been made available on the official IMD website.
**Impact Analysis**
**General Citizens**
**Impact**
Increased risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke due to extreme daytime temperatures and warm nights.
**Action Required**
Adopt preventive measures including proper hydration, appropriate clothing, and avoiding outdoor activity during peak heat; monitor official IMD forecasts for updates.
**Vulnerable Groups (Children, Elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions)**
**Impact**
Heightened susceptibility to heat stress and health complications during periods of extreme temperature and humidity.
**Action Required**
Exercise special care and strictly adhere to safety guidelines to minimize exposure to high-temperature environments.
**Local Administrations**
**Impact**
Responsibility for enhancing community resilience and implementing mitigation measures during the ongoing hot weather season.
**Action Required**
Utilize the IMD’s comprehensive heatwave guidance and sector-specific advisories to support community preparedness and minimize public health risks.
Key Entities Referenced
India Meteorological Department (IMD): The primary regulatory agency responsible for monitoring temperatures and issuing heatwave forecasts and safety advisories.
Comprehensive Heatwave Guidance: The primary policy document issued containing safety protocols, sector-specific advisories, and preparedness measures for citizens and local administrations.
Ministry of Earth Sciences: The nodal ministry responsible for overseeing the issuance of national meteorological guidance and climate-related safety policies.
Northwest, Central, and Peninsular India: The central geographic regions identified as the primary zones of applicability for the heatwave safety protocols due to extreme temperatures.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
IMD Issues Comprehensive Heatwave Guidance
as Temperatures Rise Across Regions
Heatwave Conditions Likely Over Northwest, Central and
Peninsular India: IMD
Citizens Advised Precautionary Measures; Detailed Guidance
Available Online
Posted On: 25 APR 2026 2:24PM by PIB Delhi
The India Meteorological Department under the Ministry of Earth Sciences has issued detailed heatwave
guidance and advisories as several parts of the country continue to experience rising temperatures and
above-normal conditions.
As per the latest assessment, maximum temperatures in many parts of northwest, central and peninsular
India are currently ranging between 40°C to 44°C, with the highest temperature of 44.5°C recorded at Sri
Ganganagar (Rajasthan). In several regions, temperatures have been observed to be markedly above
normal by 5°C or more, indicating a developing heat stress scenario across parts of the country.
The IMD has indicated that heatwave conditions are very likely to develop in isolated pockets of Jammu
& Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and
central India over the coming days. At the same time, hot and humid conditions are expected over coastal
and eastern regions, while warm night conditions are likely in parts of north India, which may further
increase discomfort levels and health risks.
The department has further projected that there will be no significant change in maximum temperatures
over northwest India till 27th April, followed by a gradual fall, while central and other regions may
witness a gradual rise and subsequent decline in temperatures during the forecast period.
In view of the prevailing and forecasted conditions, IMD has issued comprehensive heatwave safety
guidelines and advised citizens to take necessary precautions. These include avoiding prolonged exposure
to direct sunlight, especially during peak afternoon hours, staying adequately hydrated, wearing light and
breathable clothing, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during high-temperature periods. Special
care has been advised for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing
health conditions.
The IMD has emphasised that early awareness and preventive action are critical in reducing heat-related
illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The IMD’s extended outlook indicates that heatwave
conditions are likely to persist across multiple regions over the next 7 days, particularly in parts of:
Northwest India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh)
Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha)Select southern regions (Kerala & Mahe)
In addition, hot and humid weather conditions are expected in coastal states, including Odisha, West
Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, while warm night conditions may continue in northern plains,
compounding heat stress during nighttime.
According to IMD’s seasonal outlook for April to June 2026, above-normal heatwave days are likely
over parts of east, central and northwest India and the southeast peninsula, underscoring the need for
continued preparedness and mitigation measures during the ongoing hot weather season.
The IMD has made comprehensive heatwave guidance, including do’s and don’ts, preparedness
measures and sector-specific advisories, available on its official website for public access and
dissemination at https://mausam.imd.gov.in/responsive/heatwave_guidance.php. The guidance is aimed at
supporting individuals, communities and local administrations in minimising health risks and enhancing
resilience against extreme heat conditions.
The IMD continues to closely monitor temperature trends and issue timely forecasts and warnings, and
citizens are advised to remain updated through official sources and adhere to the prescribed safety
measures.
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