India Braces for Above-Normal Heat, Health Risks Intensify During March-to-May

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a stark warning on February 28, 2026, forecasting hotter-than-usual conditions across most parts of the country during the March-to-May period, with an increased likelihood of above-normal heatwave days raising significant public health concerns. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra announced in an online briefing that above-normal maximum temperatures are very likely over much of India through May 31, while minimum (night) temperatures are expected to remain elevated in many regions. This outlook follows February 2026 being recorded as one of the warmest on record, signaling an early and intense onset to the summer season.

The IMD highlighted specific risks from intensified heatwaves, particularly in states like West Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, southern and eastern Maharashtra, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of north Karnataka and north Tamil Nadu. While March may see normal to below-normal maximum temperatures in some areas (except the Northeast, east India, Western Himalayas, and select central/peninsular zones), the overall three-month period points to more frequent and severe heat episodes. Experts warn that prolonged high temperatures could exacerbate dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia, with rapid onset of health impacts possible during extreme spells.

Vulnerable populations face the greatest threats, including the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. The IMD emphasized that heatwaves pose broader challenges beyond immediate health risks, including strain on water resources, spikes in power demand from cooling needs, disruptions to agriculture (such as risks to winter-sown crops from early heat), and pressure on essential services. Historical patterns show heat-related illnesses and deaths can surge during such periods, with cumulative stress from high day and night temperatures compounding physiological strain and accelerating mortality among the frail.

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Authorities have urged state governments and local administrations to prepare mitigation measures, such as activating heat action plans, ensuring access to cooling shelters, providing adequate drinking water, and enhancing health surveillance for early detection of heat-related illnesses. Public advisories recommend staying hydrated, avoiding peak sun hours, wearing light clothing, and seeking medical help for symptoms like dizziness or nausea. The forecast aligns with global climate trends, where rising temperatures increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies in densely populated regions.

As India enters March 2026 with already elevated mercury levels in parts of the northwest, the IMD's alert serves as a timely call for vigilance amid the transition to hotter months. With no major relief expected in the near term and potential for record-breaking heat, the focus remains on protecting public health and minimizing socioeconomic disruptions in the face of this forecasted severe summer. Residents and authorities are advised to monitor daily updates from the IMD for localized forecasts and evolving conditions.

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