New Delhi, India — May 18, 2026
India is witnessing two dramatically different weather patterns at the same time, with the southwest monsoon arriving early over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands while large parts of North India continue to suffer under an intense and potentially dangerous heatwave.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon has advanced into the Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands, parts of the Bay of Bengal, and sections of the Arabian Sea ahead of schedule, bringing widespread rainfall activity to southern coastal regions including Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
At the same time, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and several central Indian states are experiencing extreme temperatures, with heatwave conditions expected to continue throughout the week.
Monsoon Advances Ahead of Schedule
Meteorological officials said the southwest monsoon is currently progressing nearly five days ahead of its normal timeline.
The weather department expects the monsoon to strengthen further across the Andaman region and additional parts of the Arabian Sea over the next two to three days.
Typically, the monsoon reaches Kerala around June 1 each year. However, IMD officials now expect the monsoon to make landfall over Kerala as early as May 26 due to favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Several districts in Kerala are already witnessing heavy pre-monsoon rainfall. The IMD has issued heavy rain alerts for regions including Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, where localized flooding and waterlogging could occur.
Parts of West Bengal have also recorded significant rainfall over the past 24 hours, indicating increased moisture activity across eastern India.
Severe Heatwave Continues Across North India
While southern India prepares for the rainy season, northern and northwestern states remain trapped in severe heatwave conditions.
Temperatures across much of Uttar Pradesh have crossed 40 degrees Celsius, with Banda emerging as one of the hottest locations in the country after recording a scorching 46.4 degrees Celsius.
Cities including Jhansi, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Lucknow are also witnessing extreme daytime temperatures, making outdoor activity increasingly dangerous during afternoon hours.
Delhi-NCR remained under intense heat stress on Monday, with temperatures staying well above seasonal averages. Residents across Haryana and Punjab also struggled with oppressive conditions as temperatures in Sirsa, Rohtak, Hisar, and Bathinda hovered between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius.
Officials said heatwave conditions are making it difficult for people to remain outdoors after mid-morning, with hot winds and strong solar radiation adding to discomfort levels.
Hills Also Witness Rising Temperatures
Even traditionally cooler hill regions are experiencing unusually high temperatures this season.
In Himachal Pradesh, Una recorded a temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius, significantly above normal for mountainous areas.
However, meteorologists said weather conditions in the Himalayan region could begin changing from May 19 as a fresh western disturbance becomes active.
The IMD has issued yellow alerts for rainfall and gusty winds in districts including Chamba, Kangra, and Kullu. Light to moderate rainfall between May 22 and May 23 may provide partial relief from the ongoing heatwave.
IMD Issues Public Health Advisory
The weather department has warned that heatwave conditions could intensify further over the next 24 hours in Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid direct sunlight between noon and 3 p.m., remain hydrated, and limit outdoor exposure during peak heat hours.
The IMD advised people to drink water frequently even if they do not feel thirsty and recommended consuming oral rehydration solutions (ORS), lemon water, buttermilk, and other cooling fluids.
Citizens have also been advised to wear loose, light-colored cotton clothing and cover their heads while stepping outdoors.
Special caution has been recommended for elderly individuals, children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions, who remain most vulnerable during prolonged heatwave events.
As India faces the simultaneous arrival of the monsoon in the south and extreme summer conditions in the north, meteorologists say the coming weeks will be crucial in determining how the 2026 weather season unfolds across the country.
