Pratik AgrawalThe national capital is sweating through another brutal spell of extreme heat with temperatures climbing well above 43°C and the weather department warning residents that the scorching conditions are far from over.
Delhi’s Heatwave Refuses to Ease Up
Delhi is not catching a break this summer. The India Meteorological Department IMD has put out a yellow alert for heatwave conditions covering the next four days, as daytime temperatures in the national capital continue to stay stubbornly above 40 degrees Celsius. Residents stepped out on Tuesday to find the city already burning.
Over the past 24 hours, maximum temperatures across Delhi stayed firmly in the 43 to 45 degrees Celsius range. Nighttime was no real comfort either minimum temperatures hovered between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. The IMD noted a further climb of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in peak daytime heat, though the nights remained roughly the same as before.
For millions of Delhiites office-goers, street vendors, daily wage workers these numbers are not just statistics. They translate into dizzying commutes, scorched pavements, and a desperate search for shade.
North and Central India Face the Brunt
The misery is not Delhi’s alone. The Met Department has forecast heatwave to severe heatwave conditions sweeping across large parts of northwest and central India and things are expected to intensify further as the week unfolds.
Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh face heatwave conditions running all the way through May 24. Madhya Pradesh is likely to remain trapped in extreme heat during the same stretch. Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, and parts of Andhra Pradesh are also staring down serious heat stress later this week.
Uttar Pradesh which was battered by a deadly storm just days ago now faces a fresh threat. The state is set to see heatwave to severe heatwave conditions right up to May 24. Warm nights are expected across parts of UP, Rajasthan, and Vidarbha. Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam may additionally deal with hot and humid conditions a doubly uncomfortable combination.
Storms and Heavy Rain Expected in Other Regions
While the north roasts, other parts of the country are bracing for a very different kind of weather extreme. Thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusty winds are on the cards for large swathes of northeast, east, and south India.
In the northeast, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are all likely to see heavy rainfall laced with thunderstorms. The IMD has flagged very heavy rainfall specifically over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya on May 23 and 24.
Southern states are not spared either. Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and parts of Karnataka may see light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms during the week. Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal are also expected to witness thunder squall activity with wind gusts potentially reaching up to 70 kmph between May 19 and 21. That is the kind of wind speed that can down trees, cut power lines, and disrupt daily life significantly.
Himalayan States and the Western Coast Also on Watch
Up in the hills, Jammu and Kashmir may see rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds between May 19 and 22. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh face similar conditions slightly later from May 20 to 22. Meanwhile, Maharashtra, Goa, and Konkan could also receive rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds through May 20.
The contrast blistering heat in the plains, storms and floods in the hills and coasts is a stark reminder of how wildly varied India’s summer weather truly is, and how climate patterns are stretching to extremes.
What the Numbers Mean for Everyday Life
The IMD’s classification is clear a heatwave is declared when maximum temperatures in plains areas hit 40°C or above and run at least 4.5 degrees above normal. A severe heatwave kicks in when the departure from normal exceeds 6.4°C. By that measure, several parts of north India are squarely in severe heatwave territory right now.
Health experts consistently warn that extreme heat poses the greatest danger to the elderly, young children, outdoor workers, and people with existing health conditions. Staying hydrated, avoiding peak afternoon sun, wearing light cotton clothing, and not stepping out between noon and 4 pm remain the basic but critical precautions.
For now, Delhi and much of northern India are in for more sweltering days ahead before any meaningful relief arrives.
Aditya Didwaniya
Akshay Didwaniya