From pre-monsoon showers, cloud cover to moisture levels — local land and atmospheric conditions play a crucial role in determining the intensity and nature of heatwaves in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, a new study led by IIT Bombay researchers has found. At a time when India is reeling under intensive heatwaves, the study said that examination of such ‘local precursors’ – besides meteorological systems – can play a crucial role in providing early and location-specific warnings to mitigate impact of heatwaves.

In India, heatwave events typically occur during the pre-monsoon months. Amongst several meteorological factors, heatwaves are closely linked with anti-cyclonic flow over a region.…