Record-Breaking Heat Expected in March: IMD Warns of Temperatures Surpassing 40°C

India Braces for Unprecedented Heatwave; Delhi Breaks 74-Year Temperature Record

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave warning for March, predicting record-breaking temperatures across multiple states. IMD officials have stated that temperatures could surpass 40°C, an anomaly for this time of year, indicating an unusually hot summer ahead.

IMD’s Heatwave Alert: What to Expect?

Rising Temperatures:

• IMD forecasts March will be abnormally hot, with both daytime and nighttime temperatures remaining above average.
• The temperature surge will begin in the second week of March, with several states surpassing 40°C by the last week of the month.

Impact on Agriculture:

• Extreme heat could severely impact wheat production, with experts warning of large-scale crop damage.
• India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer, has already witnessed declining wheat output for three consecutive years.
• The government is relying on a bumper wheat harvest in 2025 to avoid costly imports and stabilize domestic food prices.

IMD compared this year’s weather pattern to 2022, when unexpected heatwaves in February and March led to extensive wheat crop failures, forcing the government to ban wheat exports to curb price inflation.

Delhi’s Warmest February Night in 74 Years

Delhi has already broken a 74-year temperature record, registering its warmest February night ever recorded.

Key Temperature Statistics for Delhi:
February 27, 2025: Minimum temperature at 19.5°C (highest since 1951).
Previous Record: 19°C on February 25, 2015 (now the second-highest).
Other Notable Highs:

• 1973: 18.6°C
• 2015: 18.5°C (on February 20)
• 1992: 18.2°C
• 1988: 18.0°C

The IMD attributes this temperature anomaly to persistent cloud cover, which trapped heat, preventing a nighttime cooldown.

Extreme Weather’s Broader Impact

Threat to Agriculture: High temperatures in key wheat-producing states (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh) could reduce yields by 10-15%.
Economic Impact: Lower wheat output could trigger price hikes, affecting food security.
Increased Heatwaves: IMD expects a surge in extreme heatwave conditions across Northern and Central India.

Experts warn that India must prepare for severe heat-related challenges, including increased power demand, water shortages, and health risks due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

With March set to break heat records, India braces for an exceptionally hot summer. Stay updated with the latest weather advisories from IMD.