News & Analysis thehindu.com

Severe heatwave conditions likely to prevail over parts of India: IMD

22 May 2026 Source

Exam Summary

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted severe heatwave conditions to persist over the plains of Northwest, Central, and East India, as well as parts of Peninsular India, for the next six to seven days. Specific regions like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Coastal Andhra, Yanam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telangana, Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are expected to experience heatwave or severe heatwave conditions. Additionally, warm night conditions are anticipated in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, Odisha, and Telangana.

GS Paper 1: Geography (Physical Geography - Climatology, Indian Climate)

UPSC concepts in this story

These are durable syllabus ideas — use them for revision, not article memory.

Heatwaves in India

Heatwaves are prolonged periods of extreme heat, defined by IMD criteria, causing severe health and economic impacts in India, often linked to climate change...

Geography 3 PYQs 3 developments

India Meteorological Department (IMD)

The principal agency of the Government of India under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and s...

Geography 2 PYQs 1 developments

Exam Themes

Prelims Takeaways

  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the nodal agency for weather forecasting and issuing warnings in India.
  • Heatwave and severe heatwave conditions are recurring extreme weather phenomena in India, particularly during the pre-monsoon summer months.
  • Understanding the geographical distribution of heatwave-prone regions across India (e.g., plains of Northwest, Central, East, and Peninsular India) is important.
  • The concept of 'warm night conditions' is also a meteorological phenomenon associated with heat stress.

Elimination Traps

  • Confusing the specific criteria for declaring heatwave vs. severe heatwave conditions (which are not detailed in this article but are important static facts).
  • Misidentifying the primary mandate or functions of IMD.
  • Incorrectly associating heatwaves solely with climate change without acknowledging natural variability, though climate change exacerbates their frequency and intensity.

Static Concepts

  • Heatwave
  • Severe Heatwave
  • Warm night conditions
  • Indian climate

Probable Question Areas

Question areas
  • Functions and organizational structure of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Question areas
  • Definition and criteria for 'heatwave' and 'severe heatwave' as per IMD guidelines.
Question areas
  • Geographical distribution of heatwave-prone regions in India and factors contributing to them.
Question areas
  • Impacts of heatwaves on human health, agriculture, and economy.
Question areas
  • Government initiatives and disaster management strategies for mitigating heatwave impacts.
Conceptual Recurrence

Related Prelims PYQs

Ranked by topic match, theme match, recency, and recurring UPSC patterns.

UPSC Prelims 2017 Geography

At one of the places in India if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the sea water recedes from the shoreline a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the sea floor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at -

  1. A. Bhavnagar
  2. B. Bheemunipatnam
  3. C. Chandipur
  4. D. Nagapattinam
Explanation
Correct answer
C. Chandipur

The unique phenomenon you described, where the seawater recedes several kilometres twice a day, exposing the seabed for walking, can be seen at Chandipur Beach in Odisha, India. Chandipur Beach is also known as the "hide-and-seek beach" due to this fascinating tidal phenomenon. The receding water allows visitors to explore the seabed, revealing seashells and marine life during low tide. Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Geography Physical & Regional Geography
UPSC Prelims 2015 Geography

Consider the following States:

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Mizoram

In which of the following states do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur?

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 1 and 3 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 1 and 3 only

Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in regions that have high temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year. Arunachal Pradesh: This state is located in the eastern part of India and it receives high rainfall. It is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests. Himachal Pradesh: This state is located in the northern part of India, in the Himalayan region. The climate here is more temperate and alpine due to its high altitude, and it does not support Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests. Mizoram: This state is located in the northeastern part of India and it also receives high rainfall. It is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests. Therefore, Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests occur in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

Geography Environment & Ecology Biogeography & Ecosystems Physical & Regional Geography
UPSC Prelims 2021 Geography

With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of

  1. A. Glaciers
  2. B. Mangrove areas
  3. C. Ramsar sites
  4. D. Saline lakes
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Saline lakes

Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol, and Khatu are the names of saline lakes of Rajasthan.

Geography Indian Hydrography & Water Bodies Physical & Regional Geography
UPSC Prelims 2018 Geography

Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi?

  1. A. Bengaluru
  2. B. Hyderabad
  3. C. Nagpur
  4. D. Pune
Explanation
Correct answer
A. Bengaluru

Delhi and Bengaluru are located almost on the same longitude. - Longitude of Delhi- 77.1025 E - Longitude of Bengaluru- 77.5946 E - Longitude of Hyderabad- 78.4867 E - Longitude of Nagpur- 79.0882 E - Llongitude of Pune- 73.8567 E

Geography Physical & Regional Geography
UPSC Prelims 2015 Geography

Consider the following pairs:

|Place of Pilgrimage|Location|
|-- |--|
|1. Srisailam | Nallamala Hills|
|2. Omkareshwar|Satmala Hills|
|3. Pushkar | Mahadeo Hills|

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 1 and 3 only
  4. D. 1,2 and 3
Explanation
Correct answer
A. 1 only

1. Srisailam - Nallamala Hills (Correct): Srisailam, a revered Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati, is situated in the Nallamala Hills range on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 2. Omkareshwar - Satmala Hills (Incorrect): Omkareshwar, a holy island town on the Narmada River known for its 12 Shiva Jyotirlinga temples, is located in the Mandhata plateau region, not the Satmala Hills. 3. Pushkar - Mahadeo Hills (Incorrect): Pushkar, a sacred town famous for the only Brahma temple in India, is situated on the shores of Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan, not the Mahadeo Hills. The Mahadeo Hills are located in Madhya Pradesh, a central Indian state.

Geography Art & Culture Physical & Regional Geography
UPSC Prelims 2024 Geography

Consider the following information:

| Waterfall | Region | River |
|--|--|--|
|1. Dhuandhar | Malwa |Narmada|
|2. Hundru | Chota Nagpur | Subarnarekha|
|3. Gersoppa | Western Ghats | Netravati|

In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

  1. A. Only one
  2. B. Only two
  3. C. All three
  4. D. None
Explanation
Correct answer
A. Only one

* Dhuandhar: This waterfall is located on the Narmada River, but the region is not Malwa. It is in Madhya Pradesh Mahakoshal region. Hence, pair 1 is incorrectly matched. * Hundru: This waterfall is indeed located on the Subarnarekha River within the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched. * Gersoppa (also known as Jog Falls): This waterfall is on the Sharavati River in the Western Ghats, not the Netravati River. Hence, pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

Geography Indian Hydrography & Water Bodies Physical & Regional Geography
UPSC Prelims 2023 Geography

Consider the following statements : 

Statement-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter. 
Statement-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Statement-I is incorrect: The temperature contrast between land and ocean is actually greater in winter, not in summer. In winter, land loses heat quickly and becomes much colder, while the ocean retains heat and stays relatively warm → large contrast.
In summer, both land and ocean warm up, but the difference is less pronounced compared to winter → smaller contrast. Statement-II is correct: Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land. It heats up and cools down more slowly, which explains why oceans have a moderating influence on temperature.

Geography Physical & Regional Geography
UPSC Prelims 2023 Geography

Consider the following statements:
1. Amarkantak Hills are at the confluence of Vindhya and Sahyadri Ranges.
2. Biligirirangan Hills constitute the easternmost part of Satpura Range.
3. Seshachalam Hills Constitute the southernmost part of Western Ghats.

How many of the statements given above the correct?

  1. A. Only one
  2. B. Only two
  3. C. All three
  4. D. None
Explanation
Correct answer
D. None

* Statement 1 is incorrect: Amarkantak is a pilgrim town in Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak Hills is the meeting point of the Vindhya, Satpura, and Maikal Ranges. It is also the origin of the Narmada, Son, and Johilla Rivers. * Statement 2 is incorrect: The Billigirirangan Hills, also known as BR Hills, are not a part of the Satpura range. It is a hill range situated in south-western Karnataka, at its border with Tamil Nadu (Erode District). The area is called Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary or simply BRT Wildlife Sanctuary. * Statement 3 is incorrect: The Seshachalam Hills, also known as Tirumala Hills, are not a part of the Western Ghats. Seshachalam Hills are hilly ranges part of the Eastern Ghats in southern Andhra Pradesh. The Seshachalam hill ranges are predominantly present in Tirupati district of the Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh.

Geography Physical & Regional Geography
UPSC Prelims 2016 Geography

Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to the sea by a long navigational channel?

  1. A. Andhra Pradesh
  2. B. Chhattisgarh
  3. C. Karnataka
  4. D. Rajasthan
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Rajasthan

The Inland Waterways Authority of India under the Ministry of Shipping had proposed to guide and support Rajasthan government for building an Inland Shipping Port at Jalore. The port and the terminal that are to be created will help develop inland navigation facilities in western Rajasthan and will also bring about socio-economic development of the region. Business development opportunities along the canal for limestone, gypsum, lignite, and cement factories are to be explored by the state government.

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UPSC Prelims 2020 Geography

With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March.
2. OMT collected during January-March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 only
  3. C. Both 1 and 2 only
  4. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct answer
B. 2 only

Statement 1 is incorrect. OMT is measured up to the depth of the 26°C isotherm, but the 129-meter depth mentioned in the southwestern Indian Ocean during January-March is incorrect. The depth of the 26°C isotherm can vary depending on the region and season. Statement 2 is correct. OMT collected during January-March helps in predicting the amount of rainfall during the monsoon. It is used to assess whether rainfall will be more or less than the long-term average, as variations in OMT influence monsoon behaviour. Hence, option B is the correct answer.

Geography Environment & Ecology Physical & Regional Geography