India has received 28 per cent excess rainfall in the pre-monsoon season so far, while the central region has received 268 per cent excess rainfall. This information was given in the data of India Meteorological Department (IMD). East and Northeast India recorded a rainfall deficit of 29 per cent from March 1 to May 3. It received 141.5 mm of rain against the normal of 199.9 mm.

Northwest India such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand recorded 18 per cent more rainfall (98.3 mm as against 83.4 mm) while the peninsular region received 88 per cent more rainfall during this period. (102 mm against normal rainfall of 54.2 mm).

Central India including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra received 268 per cent more rainfall than normal. Here instead of 18.2 mm, 67 mm of rain was seen. From April 21-22, except for the eastern and northeastern parts, large parts of the country witnessed prolonged rains due to a back to back weather system.

As a result, most parts of the country recorded much lower than normal day temperatures during this period. According to IMD, since April 21, no heat wave has been reported from any place in India. A senior IMD scientist said such a long period without heat wave in April and May is ‘very rare’.

Also Read: Delhi Weather Today: Chance of rain in Delhi today, AQI recorded in moderate range

India usually records the maximum number of days of extreme heat in May. The temperature can go above 45 °C during the month, especially in the north, northwest and central parts of the country.

A heat wave day is declared when the maximum temperature at any weather station in the plains reaches 40 °C and the deviation from the normal temperature is at least 4.5 °C.

On the other hand, a maximum temperature of 37 °C in coastal areas and 30 °C in hilly areas is declared as a heat wave day, provided the deviation from the normal temperature is at least 4.5 °C.

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