India weather today: IMD warns of heatwave in north, thunderstorms in south

India is witnessing a striking weather paradox, with North India reeling under an intense heatwave above 43°C while southern states face heavy rain and thunderstorm alerts under active pre-monsoon conditions.

Delhi continued to experience extreme heat on Monday, recording a maximum temperature of 43.4°C at Safdarjung, the highest of the season so far. Several parts of the city recorded temperatures well above normal, with some stations crossing 44°C.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heatwave conditions will persist over the coming days, with temperatures expected to remain between 43°C and 45°C. Dry northwesterly winds and the absence of active weather systems are driving the ongoing heat stress across the region.

NCR regions also face soaring temperatures

Neighbouring areas including Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram are also experiencing high temperatures ranging between 40°C and 45°C. Night temperatures remain elevated, offering little relief.

Air quality in Delhi has also shown a declining trend, with AQI levels shifting from “moderate” towards “poor” categories in some areas.

Bengaluru under thunderstorm and rain alert

Bengaluru has been placed under a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. The city is expected to see temperatures between 23°C and 35°C over the next few days.

The IMD has also forecast pre-monsoon showers across interior Karnataka, including Mysuru, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu. Isolated hailstorms and strong winds are also possible due to atmospheric instability.

Kerala faces heavy rain warnings

Kerala is under orange and yellow alerts for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas. The IMD has warned of strong winds, lightning activity and rough sea conditions along the coastal belt.

Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea due to wind speeds reaching up to 60 kmph and high wave activity across the Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts.

Coastal and maritime alerts issued

The IMD has issued broader warnings across the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal regions, citing strong winds, rough seas and coastal erosion risks. Coastal districts in Kerala and parts of southern India remain under continuous monitoring.

Authorities have advised caution due to the possibility of high waves and unstable sea conditions affecting fishing and coastal communities.

Overall, India is witnessing a sharp contrast in weather conditions. While north India continues under severe heatwave stress, southern states are experiencing active pre-monsoon rainfall and thunderstorm activity.

The IMD has indicated that these contrasting patterns are likely to continue for several more days, with heatwave conditions persisting in the north and rainfall activity continuing in the south.