New Delhi, May 1 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that most parts of the country will likely witness above-normal temperatures in May. However, occasional thunderstorms may keep the heat from reaching the severe levels seen in 2024.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Wednesday that the number of heatwave days is expected to be higher than normal, by one to four days, in most parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal.

He also said that some areas of Gujarat, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, adjoining Telangana, and north Karnataka are expected to see above-normal heatwave days.

The IMD director general further said most parts o...