The heat wave continues in many states of India. April temperatures in north-west and central India were the highest since 1900, and temperatures in north and west India are expected to remain above normal in May as well. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature in the rest of the country will not touch the level of March and April.

The Meteorological Department said in a statement on Saturday that during May, above normal minimum temperatures are likely to prevail over most parts of North-West, Central, East and North-East India. Normal or below normal minimum temperatures are very likely to prevail over some parts of South Peninsular India and Northwest India.

IMD DG Mrityunjay Mohapatra said that in the month of May, hot winds will continue to blow in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The month of April this year was the fourth hottest in India since 1901. Whereas in the North West and Central region of India, April has been the hottest in 122 years. From April 1 to 28, the average temperature in Northwest India was 35.9 °C while in Central India was 37.78 °C.

When the maximum temperature is above 40 degrees, then a heatwave is declared. According to the IMD, if the departure is 6.4 degrees above the normal temperature, then a severe heatwave is declared. At the same time, a dangerous heatwave is declared when an area registers a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. A severe heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature crosses 47 degrees. Temperatures regularly exceed 42 degrees Celsius in many parts of North and West India.