The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted a warmer beginning to the summer season this year, attributed to the continuation of El Nino conditions.
Expecting a rise in heatwave occurrences, particularly over northeast peninsular India encompassing Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and north interior Karnataka, along with several parts of Maharashtra and Odisha.
In March, the country is anticipated to witness above-normal rainfall, surpassing 117 percent of the long-period average of 29.9 mm.
IMD Director General, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, stated in a press conference that above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures are expected across most regions of India from March to May.
However, he clarified that heatwave conditions are not foreseen over north and central India in March.
With Lok Sabha polls likely to be held in April-May, Mohapatra highlighted the persistence of El Nino conditions throughout the summer, followed by the possibility of neutral conditions thereafter.
Moreover, La Nina conditions, often linked with favorable monsoon rainfall in India, are projected to emerge during the latter part of the monsoon season.
