Temperatures in north India may exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the India Meteorological Department on Saturday, with Dr. M Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, adding that May is often the "hottest month" based on historical trends. "The average maximum temperature over northwest and central India in April is the highest in the last 122 years, with 35.90 degrees Celsius and 37.78 degrees Celsius, respectively," a top IMD scientist was reported as saying by news agency ANI.

"Normal to above-normal rainfall is likely over most of India, except some sections of northwest and northeast India, as well as the extreme southeast Peninsula, where it is likely to be below normal," said the top IMD scientist.

In the month of May "Maximum temperatures are expected to be above average throughout most of western, central, and northwest India, as well as northern areas of northeast India (Fig.1a). Maximum temperatures in the remaining sections of the country are expected to be average to slightly below normal "According to an official statement.