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Delhi: Several parts of India are battling extreme heat this week, with temperatures crossing 45°C in many cities and some areas touching nearly 48°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and red alerts across parts of North-West and Central India, warning that severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over the next few days.From Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to parts of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Jammu & Kashmir, the impact of the heat is being felt not just on people but also on air quality, tourism and agriculture.
Which Regions Are Facing The Worst Heat?
Delhi-NCRDelhi remained under an orange alert on Wednesday, with temperatures hovering between 44°C and 45°C. Some isolated areas were expected to touch 46°C.The capital recorded its first official heatwave day of the month on Tuesday as dry winds and strong sunlight pushed temperatures beyond normal levels. The heat also affected air quality. Delhi’s AQI slipped into the ‘poor’ category at 336 on Tuesday, prompting authorities to activate Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. By Wednesday morning, AQI improved slightly to 177, which still falls under the ‘moderate’ category.Night temperatures have also stayed unusually high, making conditions more uncomfortable. Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 28.3°C, nearly 2 degrees above normal.Uttar Pradesh’s Banda Among Hottest In Asia
The most extreme temperatures were recorded in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district, where the mercury touched 48.2°C on Tuesday.Roads reportedly softened under the heat, metal surfaces became dangerously hot and afternoons felt like furnace conditions.Prayagraj recorded 45.8°C, making it one of the hottest cities in Uttar Pradesh after Banda, Jhansi and Agra.The IMD issued red alerts for several districts including Agra, Jhansi, Banda, Prayagraj, Hamirpur and Chitrakoot."Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail over several districts of Uttar Pradesh during the next 2 days. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions and avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat," the IMD said.Heat Reaches Jammu & Kashmir Too
The unusual rise in temperatures has also affected Jammu & Kashmir, especially the tourism and horticulture sectors.At Jakhani Park in Udhampur, seasonal flowers reportedly dried up weeks earlier than expected due to the sudden heat.Speaking to ANI, Assistant Floriculture Officer Pawan Kumar said, "Due to the recent temperature rise, the seasonal blooms that we plant are getting affected.""The general longevity of these flowers would be till the end of May, but due to the heat, they are drying up prematurely," he added.Officials said watering schedules were shifted to evening hours to reduce evaporation and help cool the soil.Why Is The Heatwave So Intense This Time?
Weather experts say there is no single reason behind the current heatwave. Instead, several weather and climate factors are combining together and making conditions worse.1. Dry Winds From Rajasthan And PakistanOne major reason is the strong dry winds blowing from Rajasthan and neighbouring Pakistan towards North India.These winds carry extremely hot and dry air, sharply increasing daytime temperatures across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.2. Clear Skies Mean Stronger SunlightMost heatwave-hit regions are witnessing clear skies with very little cloud cover.Clouds usually block part of the sun’s heat. But when skies remain clear for several days, direct sunlight heats the land rapidly throughout the day.3. Land In Places Like Banda Heats Up FasterSome regions naturally become hotter because of their terrain.Explaining why Banda has been witnessing such extreme temperatures, IMD senior scientist Mohammad Danish earlier told TOI, "Southern UP missed the cooling impact of western disturbances earlier this month. Banda entered heatwave conditions with already elevated temperatures.""Hard and stony terrain absorbs heat rapidly under direct sunlight and releases it slowly, making Banda highly vulnerable to extreme temperatures," he added.This means the ground itself stores heat during the day and continues releasing it even after sunset, keeping nights warmer.4. Western Disturbances Stayed WeakWestern disturbances - weather systems that usually bring rain and cooler winds to North India - remained weak or absent during key weeks this month.Without rain or cloud cover, temperatures kept rising continuously.5. Climate Change Is Making Heatwaves WorseScientists say climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of heatwaves across India.Several of the hottest years ever recorded in India have occurred in the last decade.Longer summers, rising global temperatures and urban heat buildup are making heatwaves more dangerous and prolonged.6. Possible El Niño ConditionsAnother major global factor being watched closely is El Niño.El Niño is a climate pattern caused by warming sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. It often affects weather systems across the world, including India.During El Niño years, India usually experiences:- Hotter summers
- Weak monsoons
- Reduced rainfall
- Longer heatwave periods
What Precautions Has IMD Advised?
The IMD has asked people to avoid unnecessary exposure during peak afternoon hours and follow heat safety measures."Heatwave preparedness is essential during extreme temperatures!" the IMD said in a public advisory.The weather department advised people to:- Drink water regularly
- Avoid direct sunlight in the afternoon
- Wear loose cotton clothes
- Eat water-rich fruits
- Avoid stale food
- Take extra care of children and elderly people
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