Overview
- Maximum temperatures in northwest India are running 4–7°C above normal, with Delhi forecast to reach about 35°C by March 4 under dry, windy conditions.
- A fresh western disturbance is expected to bring light rain or snow to higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir from March 4–7, with little impact on the northern plains.
- The seasonal outlook projects an above‑normal number of heatwave days across large parts of east and east‑central India, much of the southeast peninsula, and parts of northwest and west‑central regions including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Telangana.
- IMD notes that many areas may see more moderate daytime temperatures in March even as nights stay warmer than usual, with normal March rainfall for most regions but deficits likely in the Northeast and some northwest and east‑central pockets.
- Forecasters cite weakening La Niña and a likely shift toward ENSO‑neutral conditions, with the unusually dry, warm February heightening risks that include health stress, higher power demand and pressure on water resources, prompting calls for state and district readiness.