NEW DELHI, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said the South Asian country will face extreme heat from April to June.

       "During April to June hot weather season, above normal heatwave days are likely to occur over most parts of south peninsula, central India, east India and plains of northwest India," IMD said.

       The IMD said that during heatwaves, elevated temperatures would pose significant risks, especially to vulnerable populations like the elderly, children and those with pre-existing health conditions, who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

       "Additionally, prolonged periods of extreme heat can lead to dehydration and strain infrastructure such as power grids and transportation systems," the weather agency said.

       It has urged authorities to take proactive steps to alleviate the impact.

       "To address these challenges, it is imperative for authorities to take proactive measures. This includes providing access to cooling centers, issuing heat advisories, and implementing strategies to alleviate urban heat island effects in affected areas," it said.