India is getting the old-fashioned summer heat in some places, but the season is no longer behaving like a neat, predictable blockbuster. It is more patchwork than postcard.

In several pockets, May has felt unusually mild. India Today reported that many parts of north, east and central India have stayed cooler than usual this month, with easterly winds and above-normal rainfall helping blunt the usual scorcher effect.

Yet the heat has not gone away. IMD’s latest bulletins still show heatwave and warm-night conditions in parts of northwest, west and central India, with Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan among the areas under sustained heat alerts.

Why it feels off

That is the odd bit. One city gets a thunderstorm and a cooler evening. Another gets a hot night that refuses to let go. IMD’s bulletin even flags warm-night conditions in parts of the country while still warning of heatwave conditions elsewhere, which is why the season feels scattered, almost stitched together with loose thread.

The old idea of summer arriving in one hard wave is giving way to something messier. Some people are switching on fans less often, others are sleeping badly, and travellers are checking weather apps like their plans depend on it, because they do.

What this means for daily life

For families, the effect shows up in small ways first. Heat-sensitive travel plans, electricity use, water demand, sleep quality, outdoor events, school routines. A little here, a little there. Nothing dramatic, until suddenly it is.

People in heatwave zones should still treat the season seriously, especially for children, older adults and outdoor workers. In cooler pockets, the temptation is to relax completely. Not quite wise, that. Weather swings can change within days.

What to keep an eye on

Check local IMD alerts before travel, keep water and light clothing handy, and plan outdoor work for early morning or evening where possible. Also, watch whether your city is in the heatwave belt or in one of those strange cooler pockets that may not last long.

What comes next

IMD forecasts show heatwave and warm-night conditions continuing in several regions while other areas remain unsettled with rain and thunderstorm activity. So yes, summer is still here. It just isn’t behaving neatly.

This summer feels strange because India is living two seasons at once, heatwave in one place, relief in another. That’s the new normal for now.