New Delhi, March 16: Several parts of India are witnessing unusually early heatwave conditions, with temperatures soaring significantly above normal for March. States such as Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra have been particularly affected, experiencing temperatures approximately 7 degrees Celsius higher than average, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue heatwave warnings.
Record-Breaking Temperatures in March
Compared to previous years, the onset of heatwave conditions this year has arrived prematurely. Traditionally, severe heatwaves begin in early April, but in 2025, several regions are already experiencing severe heat right from early March. On Saturday, Odisha’s Boudh district recorded the highest temperature in the country at a sweltering 42.5 degrees Celsius. Jharsuguda in Odisha also witnessed temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius, intensifying concerns about health and agricultural impacts.
An IMD official noted, “Last year, temperatures of this magnitude were recorded around April 5. The early onset of heatwave conditions this year is unusual, but not entirely unprecedented.”
Causes of the Early Heatwave
According to IMD experts, a high-pressure system currently situated over Central India is a major factor contributing to the soaring temperatures. This system leads to hotter atmospheric conditions, compounded by clear skies allowing intense solar radiation to reach the ground directly, intensifying heatwave conditions across affected regions.
Areas like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Vidarbha, Central Maharashtra, Telangana, Saurashtra, Kutch, and Rayalaseema are experiencing intensified heat due to these atmospheric conditions, and the situation is expected to persist for several days.
Forecast for Heatwave-Affected Areas
The IMD forecasts that Odisha will likely continue facing severe heatwave conditions until March 18, while Saurashtra may experience similar conditions until March 17. Additionally, heatwave warnings have been issued from March 16 onward for Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, and North Telangana.
Notably, the months of January and February 2025 also witnessed unusually high temperatures. February this year recorded the highest maximum temperature since 1901, underlining an emerging trend of increasingly severe weather events.
Currently, temperatures in Vidarbha and Central Maharashtra are fluctuating between 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, whereas Saurashtra, Kutch, and Telangana are experiencing highs of 38 to 40 degrees Celsius.
Rising Temperatures in North India
Northern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, have also reported temperatures rising 3 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal levels. Western Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Odisha have been particularly impacted, with residents already grappling with discomfort and heat-related health risks.
Additionally, high humidity levels are exacerbating discomfort in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Eastern Rajasthan, Eastern Madhya Pradesh, Marathwada, and Central Maharashtra, causing distress among the local populations.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
