The official weather forecaster on Sunday issued the first heatwave alert for the year, predicting soaring maximum temperatures of 37-39°C in parts of the Kutch and the Konkan regions in more signs that the country could skip the spring season and plunge into summer heat.

Large parts of west and northwest India, as well as many Himalayan towns, have recorded temperatures 5-10°C higher than what is normal for this time of the year. The Capital had a maximum of 31.5°C, and the day temperature is likely to remain at these levels for another three to four days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Officials said this was the earliest a heatwave alert was issued for swathes of regions. Typically, such alerts are issued only in March.
It also said that temperatures were “markedly above normal” at most places in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, UP, MP, J&K and Ladakh also saw above-normal temperatures.