Monsoon Likely to Be Normal in 2025: Skymet Forecasts Amid Heatwave in North-West India

New Delhi, April 9 India’s private weather forecasting agency Skymet has predicted a normal monsoon for 2025, offering some relief amid the early arrival of intense heatwave conditions in many northern and central states. According to Skymet, there is over 80% probability that the country will receive normal or above-normal rainfall during this year’s monsoon season.

Intense Heatwave Grips Northern and Central India

Even as monsoon hopes rise, large parts of India are already in the grip of extreme heat. The worst-affected states include Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave warnings for 30 districts of Madhya Pradesh alone.

In a rare April development, Delhi’s temperature crossed 40°C, marking the first such occurrence in 15 years. The last time Delhi recorded such high temperatures in April was in 2011. Rajasthan’s Barmer has been recording the highest temperatures in the country, hitting 47°C on Tuesday—breaking a 10-year April record.

Other cities like Jaisalmer, Bhilwara, and Chittorgarh have also reported unusually high temperatures.

Where the Heat is Peaking

• April 8: Most parts of western Rajasthan experienced intense heatwave.

• Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal, and Madhya Pradesh also reported heatwave conditions.

• Barmer remained India’s hottest city for two consecutive days, touching 46.4°C on April 8.

• Delhi and NCR registered 4–5°C above-normal temperatures.

Rain and Hail Provide Relief in Some Regions

While North-West India suffers from rising heat, eastern and southern states have seen some relief due to rainfall and hail.

• On April 9, parts of Bihar experienced hailstorms.

• Heavy rainfall warnings are in place for Tripura, Assam, and Meghalaya between April 8–10.

• Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka are likely to receive thunderstorms and light showers over the next three days.

• Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand may also experience rain and hail between April 9–11.

Forecast for the Next 48 Hours

The IMD predicts that temperatures will rise by 2–4°C in Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat over the next two days. A Western Disturbance is expected to bring rain and hail to parts of Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast India, and the southern peninsula.

Humidity is expected to increase across Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, and coastal Tamil Nadu, with a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal potentially bringing showers to northeastern states starting April 11.