India braces for hotter-than-normal summer, more heatwave days expected

India is ​set to experience a hotter-than-normal summer ‌this year, with heatwave days ​during March and May expected ⁠to exceed the seasonal average, the weather office said on Saturday (February 28, 2026).

In March, ‌the first month of the summer season, minimum temperatures are ‌likely to remain above ‌average ⁠across most areas, said Mrutyunjay ⁠Mohapatra, director-general of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

In February, both maximum and minimum temperatures were above ​average, making ‌it the fifth-warmest February since records began in 1901, according to IMD data.

Winter crops such as ‌wheat, rapeseed, and chickpeas ​are planted from October to December and require cold weather conditions ⁠throughout their growth cycle for optimal yields. Above-average temperatures in March ‌could affect the grain size of maturing winter-sown crops, potentially reducing yields, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house.

India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer ‌and biggest importer of edible oils, is ​counting on bumper 2026 crops to export surplus wheat and ⁠cut costly imports of palm, ⁠soy and sunflower oils.

“Above-normal heatwave days are expected over most ‌parts of the country during March to May 2026,” said ​Mr. Mohapatra.