The India Meteorological Department has warned that parts of India will witness extreme heatwave conditions during the months of April, May and June. The IMD forecast indicates that Gujarat, central Maharashtra, north Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, north Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience the worst impact of heat wave as they lie in the peninsular region. In a normal year, four to eight days of heatwave is expected. However, this year around 10-20 days of heatwave is expected in different parts of the country. The likely weather condition could be due to El Nino that continues to persist till May and neutralize thereafter in June. The heatwave poses significant risks, especially for vulnerable people, elderly, children and those with chronic or pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, prolonged period of extreme heat can lead to dehydration and also strain infrastructure like power grids and transportation systems. Ahead of the situation, health experts have suggested that it is imperative to take pro-active measures to tackle heat. Some of measures include installing water sheds, cooling centres, issuing heat advisories, and implementing strategies to alleviate urban heat island effects in affected areas.