The BRICS TimesIndia’s weather agency has sounded the alarm as scorching temperatures between 42°C and 44°C grip Delhi and several northern and central states. Dry westerly winds are pushing mercury well above seasonal norms, with no immediate relief in sight for millions of people.
Delhi sizzles under heatwave as IMD sounds yellow alert
Delhi residents woke up to another brutally hot day on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for the capital. Maximum temperatures are expected to stay between 42°C and 44°C. Hot surface winds are blowing at 15–25 kmph, gusting up to 35 kmph during the day. The minimum temperature may settle around 25.2°C, meaning warm nights will offer no escape either.
The Ridge weather station recorded the highest temperature at 43.1°C. Friday’s daytime high touched 41.9°C, which was 0.2°C above Thursday’s reading. Skymet Weather’s vice president Mahesh Palawat confirmed no major relief is likely on Saturday. However, he added that some rainfall activity between April 26 and 28 could bring a small dip in temperatures.
Severe heatwave warnings across UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
The extreme heat is not limited to Delhi alone. Uttar Pradesh is under a “severe heatwave” warning for both its eastern and western parts. Temperatures in Lucknow touched 42.5°C, which is 3.4°C above the seasonal average. The alert stays active until April 26, with mercury levels nearing 44°C.
Rajasthan continues to swelter under intense heat. Sri Ganganagar recorded the country’s highest temperature at 44.5°C. Barmer also logged a high of 44.8°C. Most of the state recorded temperatures above 40°C. A high alert remains active until April 26 for northern and western Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh is experiencing a persistent heatwave with temperatures ranging between 42°C and 44°C. The state alert continues until April 26.
Vidarbha gets extreme heat warning as Maharashtra feels the burn
Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region is the most severely affected area in western India. Temperatures in this region are expected to cross 44°C. An “extreme heat warning” is in effect for Vidarbha until April 27. IMD classifies extreme heat as conditions where the maximum temperature exceeds 45°C or is at least 4.5°C above normal.
Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand also under heat stress
Eastern and central India are not being spared either. Odisha’s Rourkela and Jharsuguda each recorded 42°C. In Malkangiri, the recorded temperature was 37°C. However, the “feels like” temperature surged to 52°C, highlighting extreme heat stress. Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand continue to face severe heatwave conditions, with mercury ranging between 42°C and 44°C.
Odisha has even announced school holidays starting April 27 due to the dangerous heat. The IMD also issued warm and humid weather alerts for Odisha between April 25 and 27.
Temperatures running 4–5°C above normal across the country
IMD data shows temperatures are running 4 to 5°C above normal across multiple states. Dry, clear skies and hot westerly winds are the main drivers behind this sharp rise. Warm night alerts have been issued for Delhi, Haryana, and Odisha. These conditions mean people will get no rest from the heat even after sunset.
Northwest and central India could see a further rise of 2 to 3°C by April 29. States including Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and north interior Karnataka are also recording temperatures between 40°C and 44°C. Punjab and Haryana face continued heatwave conditions until April 27.
Rain may bring temporary relief from late April
A developing cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan is expected to trigger rainfall between April 26 and 28. This system could bring light showers and thunderstorms to parts of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. Partly cloudy skies are forecast for Sunday. Thundery activity is likely on Monday evening. Light rain is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, which could bring temporary cooling.
Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh may receive rain between April 25 and 30. Uttar Pradesh is likely to see rainfall between April 28 and 30. Rajasthan may receive moderate rain between April 27 and 29. While the north and centre burn, the northeast and parts of the south including Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.
