India is likely to experience a warmer start to the summer season this year with El Nino conditions predicted to continue through the season, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.
More heatwave days than normal are predicted over northeast peninsular India — Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and north interior Karnataka — and many parts of Maharashtra and Odisha.
The country is likely to record above-normal rainfall in March (more than 117 per cent of the long-period average of 29.9 mm).
India is likely to see above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures in most parts of the country in the March to May period, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference.
Heatwave conditions are not expected over north and central India in March, he said.
Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in April-May.
Mohapatra said that the prevailing El Nino conditions — the periodic warming of waters in the central Pacific Ocean — will continue through the summer season and neutral conditions are likely to develop thereafter.
La Nina conditions — generally associated with good monsoon rainfall in India — are likely to set in by the second half of the monsoon season.
Meanwhile, the residents of Mumbai were treated to unexpected rainfall early on Friday, bringing a delightful surprise. Both South Mumbai and its suburbs such as Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Andheri, and Borivali experienced moderate rainfall accompanied by dark clouds, according to reports.
Also read: After chilly weekend, Mumbai`s temperature rises to 37.5 degrees
Areas including Thane, Kalyan, and Palghar also saw varying degrees of rainfall, ranging from moderate to heavy, as per reports. Videos capturing the Mumbai rains were shared by netizens on X.
Typically, Mumbai starts experiencing the onset of summer in March, following the festival of Holi. While light rainfall is common during Holi, heavy rain in February or early March is unusual for the city. Unlike other parts of India where winter is more severe, Mumbai tends to have hotter temperatures during February and March. (with inputs from agencies)
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