Operational Heatwave Products and Services of India Meteorological Department
Introduction Heatwaves are among the most significant weather-related hazards affecting India. They pose serious risks to human health, agriculture, water resources, energy demand, and infrastructure. The impacts are particularly severe in densely populated urban areas, among outdoor workers, elderly people, children, and vulnerable communities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, serves as the national authority for monitoring, forecasting, and issuing warnings related to heatwave conditions across the country. Through its extensive observational network, numerical weather prediction systems, and impact-based forecasting framework, IMD provides timely early warnings that support preparedness and response actions by disaster management agencies, health authorities, and other stakeholders. This article provides an overview of heatwave definitions, monitoring methodologies, forecasting systems, and operational heatwave products issued by IMD. ...