North India Sizzles Above 40°C
New Delhi: A relentless heatwave continues to grip large parts of North India, with temperatures soaring past 40°C in several states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert covering multiple regions, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. In the national capital, temperatures are expected to climb between 42°C and 44°C over the next few days.
Haryana is likely to face prolonged heatwave conditions accompanied by unusually warm nights, offering little respite even after sunset. Similar weather patterns are expected across both eastern and western parts of Uttar Pradesh, where hot and dry conditions are forecast to persist for at least four to five days.
Punjab
Punjab is also bracing for intense heat, with clear skies and strong sunlight likely to push temperatures even higher. Meanwhile, some relief may arrive in the northern hill states. A fresh western disturbance is expected to impact Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir from April 23, potentially bringing light rainfall and even snowfall at higher altitudes. This could lead to a slight drop in temperatures in these regions.
Delhi Heat: Hydrate, cover up if stepping out; IMD warns of mercury hitting 42°C today
Authorities have urged residents in the plains to take precautions, including avoiding outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours and staying well hydrated.
Heatwave will persist several states
The IMD has also warned that heatwave conditions will persist across several other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh in the coming days.
The current heatwave has raised broader concerns, as India appears to be experiencing some of the highest temperatures globally. Data from AQI.in indicates that a significant number of the world’s hottest cities are currently located in India, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Heatwave alerts have also been issued for Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, where temperatures have significantly exceeded the 40°C threshold typically used to define such conditions. Cities across Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh are among the worst affected.
Delhi weather alert: Surging temperatures signal tough week ahead
Experts attribute this intense heat to a combination of seasonal and atmospheric factors. April is typically a pre-monsoon month characterized by rising temperatures, but this year, persistent clear skies have allowed uninterrupted solar radiation to heat the land surface more rapidly, leading to unusually high temperatures.
With extreme heat expected to continue through April 24, residents are advised to remain cautious and take necessary safety measures to cope with the conditions.
