KS Hosalikar, scientist G at India Meteorological Department (IMD), said that the maximum temperature would be above-normal except for parts of Maharashtra and southern peninsula. Speaking exclusively to ET NOW, Hosalikar said that in the eastern, northwestern, northern and east-central parts of the country, temperature will be above normal.
Commenting on the impact of El Nino on monsoon in India, Hosalikar said that the data from 1951 to 2022 shows that in 16 cases during the El Nino effect, Indian monsoon was affected nine times, which shows that the relation between the two phenomena is not one-to-one.
“Every time El Nino is there, Indian summer monsoon need not get affected. Monsoon depends not on El Nino, but also on factors such as the Eurasian snow cover, local weather and other factors. IMD said it clearly that we will have to wait as intrinsic uncertainties are there to have more clarity on whether El Nino would be there or not. Currently, it is suggested that it could be there at the end of monsoon,” he said.
In its summer forecast, the IMD had said that the extent of El Nino current could come down and fade away the El Nino effect. “Current predictions are indicating that the La Nina or the ENSO conditions are becoming neutral in the summer monsoon, i.e during March, April and May. Later on, it could have conditions for El Nino. But it is not one-to-one,” he added.
Hosalikar further said that in February, there was a temperature rise in north, NW, and parts of Maharashtra. He, however, added that for April and May, there is a good possibility that the heatwaves could be enhanced. “In March, it is not indicating that many number of heatwaves as in April and May,” Hosalikar said.
