The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of “above-normal” heatwave conditions in most parts of the country in April and May.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a region has a heat wave if its ambient temperature deviates by at least 4.5-6.4°C from the long-term average.
There is also a heat wave if the maximum temperature crosses 45°C (or 37°C at a hill-station).
One of the reasons for the expected hotter than usual summers is the continuing effect of the El Nino.
Associated with the heating of the surface waters of the Central Pacific, the El Nino is linked to drying up of the rains in India.