Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday warned that parts of Kerala and Karnataka in the Western Ghats could be at risk of landslides in April, while northeastern states may face potential flooding. The forecast comes as India braces for a hotter-than-usual summer from April to June, with an expected rise in the number of heatwave days across several regions.

IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said most of the country will experience higher-than-normal maximum and minimum temperatures, except for some areas in western and eastern India where temperatures may remain normal.

"From April to June, north and east India, central India, and the plains of northwest India are expected to witness two to four more heatwave days than usual," Mohapatra said during an online press conference on Monday. India typically records four to seven heatwave days during this period.

Heatwaves expected in multiple states

States likely to experience above-normal heatwave days include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and northern parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Some states, such as eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, may endure 10 to 11 heatwave days during this period, Mohapatra added.

April is expected to bring higher-than-usual maximum temperatures to most parts of India, except for extreme southern and northwestern areas where temperatures may remain normal. Minimum temperatures will also be above normal across much of the country, except for a few places in the northwest and northeast.

Heatwaves arrive rarlier in 2025

The summer heat has arrived earlier than last year. In 2024, India recorded its first heatwave in Odisha on April 5, but this year, parts of the Konkan coast and coastal Karnataka saw heatwave conditions as early as February 27-28.

The IMD reported that India experienced 536 heatwave days in 2024, the highest in 14 years. Official data showed 41,789 suspected heat stroke cases and 143 heat-related deaths during one of the country’s hottest summers. Experts believe heat-related fatalities could be undercounted due to insufficient data.

Rising electricity demand and rainfall projections

Experts have warned that India should prepare for a 9 to 10 per cent rise in peak electricity demand this summer. Last year, the country’s electricity demand crossed 250 gigawatts on May 30, exceeding projections by 6.3 per cent. Climate change-induced heat stress is a key factor driving the increase.

The IMD has predicted normal rainfall in April, ranging from 88 to 112 per cent of the long-term average of 39.2 mm. Several areas in northwest, northeast, west-central and peninsular India are expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall.

(With inputs from PTI)