An above-normal number of heatwave days is likely in May in parts of the Himalayan foothills, states along the eastern coast, Gujarat and Maharashtra, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday.
The agency, in its monthly forecast, said that minimum temperatures are expected to be above normal in many parts of the country.
This came as India continues to experience higher-than-average temperatures that are pushing energy demand to a record high, Reuters reported. As the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, India's energy supplies are already under pressure since the conflict in West Asia disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
It added that several areas in northwest India, along with parts of central India, and adjoining areas of peninsular India and southern parts of northeast India, are likely to experience normal to below-normal minimum temperatures.
The country is likely to receive above-normal rainfall as a whole in May, at 110% of the long period average.
The long period average for May refers to the average rainfall recorded over a specific region for a month for a period of 50 years.
However, some parts of east, northeast and east-central India are expected to record below-normal rainfall.
The southwest monsoon is expected to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 14 and May 16, India Meteorological Department Director General of Meteorology Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.
India received below-average rainfall in April, while maximum and minimum temperatures remained above average, pushing peak power demand to a record 256.1 gigawatts, Reuters reported.
Also read: India’s summer forecast is a warning that extreme heat can affect democracy
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