 "India braces for intense heatwave as temperatures soar across north and central regions")
Large parts of north and central India are bracing for a punishing spell of heat, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting severe heatwave conditions over the next six days and temperatures expected to climb as high as 42°C in Delhi by the end of the week.
The capital recorded a maximum temperature of 35.7°C on Saturday (April 5), 1.7 degrees above the seasonal average, with forecasters warning of a sharp rise in daytime temperatures over the coming days. Delhi’s skies are expected to remain mostly clear, with heatwave conditions persisting and a maximum of around 39°C predicted for Sunday (April 6), according to India Today.
Neighbouring regions including south Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and western Madhya Pradesh are also expected to reel under extreme heat, with temperatures projected to rise by 2–4°C.
The IMD has issued a broader seasonal alert, predicting “above normal” temperatures from April to June across much of the country. Typically, India sees between four and seven heatwave days during this period. But this year’s first officially recorded heatwave arrived early, on 5 April, following an unusually warm February.
Broad swathes at risk
The weather agency has warned that several states could experience a higher-than-usual number of heatwave days, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of northern Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The warning comes against the backdrop of alarming trends in heatwave frequency and duration. India recorded 536 heatwave days in 2023 — the highest tally in over a decade — and scientists have repeatedly cautioned that climate change is turning extreme heat events into a persistent and deadly threat.
Climate crisis amplifying extremes
Studies show that over 70 per cent of India’s population could be at risk of severe heatwave exposure by the end of the 21st century, with urban areas particularly vulnerable due to the heat-island effect and poor infrastructure for cooling. Rising humidity levels and poor air quality further compound health risks, especially for children, the elderly and outdoor workers.
On Saturday, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 161, and morning humidity levels at 47 per cent. But as temperatures climb, experts warn of the dual burden of air pollution and heat stress, potentially pushing public health systems to the brink.
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