India Reels Under Intense Heatwave as Temperatures Soar Beyond 46°C

As summer tightens its grip, vast parts of India are facing an alarming rise in temperatures, with Rajasthan’s Barmer scorching at a blistering 46.4°C — nearly 8 degrees above the seasonal norm. The relentless heat is not just pushing the mercury up but also testing the endurance of people and ecosystems alike.

In the national capital, Delhi, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “yellow alert” as the city struggles with both sweltering days and uncomfortably warm nights. Tuesday night was the hottest of the season so far, recording a minimum of 25.6°C — a stark reminder of how even the nights offer little relief. Daytime highs in the city are hovering around 40–41°C, with several areas like Safdarjung and Ayanagar already witnessing full-blown heatwave conditions.

 

Across the western and central parts of the country, the IMD recorded dangerously high temperatures at multiple locations. Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, along with Surendranagar and Rajkot in Gujarat, all reported temperatures well above 44°C. In Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh too, cities like Akola, Jalgaon, Amravati, Guna, and Ratlam saw the mercury shoot past 43°C, leaving residents battling exhausting heat and rising health risks.

 

According to IMD guidelines, a heatwave is declared when temperatures in the plains reach or exceed 40°C with deviations of 4.5°C to 6.4°C from the average. A severe heatwave is marked when the deviation surpasses 6.5°C or temperatures exceed 45°C — levels that are becoming all too common in recent days.

 

The weather department has forecast some respite in the coming days. A gradual dip in temperatures is expected in northwest India starting April 10, followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh from April 11. However, several areas, particularly in West Rajasthan, East Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, may continue to reel under heatwave-like conditions today.

 

While the north and west bake under dry heat, parts of southern and northeastern India are witnessing a different kind of weather drama. States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are expected to see scattered thunderstorms, gusty winds, and light to moderate rainfall. Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh may experience heavy rain and even hailstorms in isolated pockets, providing much-needed cooling — though not without the threat of flooding and crop damage.

As millions cope with the sweltering heat — from laborers working under the blazing sun to children in overheated classrooms — this extreme weather event is yet another pressing reminder of the increasing volatility in our climate. The soaring temperatures are more than just a seasonal discomfort; they are a warning bell urging us to adapt, act, and protect the most vulnerable among us.