India is set to experience a mix of extreme heat and scattered storm activity on Thursday, April 16, 2026, according to the latest daily briefing by the India Meteorological Department. While large parts of the country will continue to reel under rising temperatures, parts of the Northeast may see thunderstorms and rainfall.
The IMD has forecast a gradual rise in maximum temperatures across northwest, central and eastern India, with several regions already recording temperatures between 38°C and 44°C.
The heat is expected to intensify further over the coming days, with heatwave conditions likely in pockets of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Maharashtra and north interior Karnataka.
Hot and humid conditions are also expected to persist over coastal and eastern regions, including West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Weather officials have warned that such conditions could increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially among vulnerable populations.
At the same time, weather activity in the Northeast remains active, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds likely over states such as Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and parts of Odisha may also witness thunderstorm activity on Thursday.
Meteorologists attribute the mixed weather pattern to multiple atmospheric systems currently influencing the region. These include cyclonic circulations over Bangladesh and peninsular India, along with a trough extending across the central parts of the country.
Additionally, a fresh western disturbance is expected to impact the western Himalayan region starting the night of April 16, potentially bringing further changes in weather.
Over the past 24 hours, thunderstorms with gusty winds have already been reported across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and parts of southern India. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall was recorded in isolated pockets of Tripura.
The IMD has advised people to take precautions against the heat, including avoiding prolonged sun exposure, staying hydrated and wearing light, loose clothing. “Heat illness symptoms are likely in those exposed to high temperatures for extended periods,” the department cautioned.
As India transitions deeper into summer, the weather outlook for April 16 highlights a sharp contrast, intense heat gripping much of the country, while stormy skies persist in the Northeast, pointing to the dynamic nature of the season.
