New Delhi, March 27 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that northwestern parts of the country are likely to endure a much hotter summer this year, with nearly twice the usual number of heatwave days.

Typically, the region experiences five to six heatwave days per season, but this year, the IMD forecasts 10 to 12.

"We are expecting slightly above-normal heatwave conditions, especially over West and Central India. Generally, Northwest India sees around five to six heatwave days. This year, we expect 10 to 12 days, which is double the normal," Soma Sen Roy, an IMD scientist told news agency ANI.

Roy clarified that this is a seasonal outlook and does not mean every day will be unusually hot.

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