Most parts of East and East-Central India, including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Bihar, are likely to record an above-normal number of heatwave days during April-June.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said above-normal heatwave days are expected across most parts of the country, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, coastal Tamil Nadu and northern parts of Karnataka during the April-June period.In April, coastal areas of Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are likely to record above-normal heatwave days. Rainfall during the month is expected to be normal to above normal over most parts of the country, except in the North-East, where below-normal rainfall is forecast.Maximum temperatures are likely to remain normal to below normal over many parts of the country. However, above-normal maximum temperatures are expected over most parts of East and North-East India, as well as eastern parts of central India and adjoining peninsular regions. Night-time temperatures are likely to be above normal over most regions, except parts of Maharashtra and Telangana.In March, rainfall over India was recorded at 33.7 mm, the 10th highest since 2001, the IMD said. Heatwave conditions prevailed over Gujarat, Vidarbha and southern parts of Himachal Pradesh between March 5 and 15 due to the absence of any active western disturbance.The IMD warned that significant heat stress during the reproductive stages of crops such as boro rice, maize, green gram, black gram and vegetables, including tomato, chilli and brinjal, could lead to poor grain setting, flower drop and reduced yields in East and North-East India, North-West India and southern peninsular India. Rapid soil moisture depletion in standing crops is also likely.In its agromet advisory, the IMD suggested applying foliar sprays of potassium nitrate or other anti-transpirants to help crops manage heat stress.