North India Swelters Under Intense Heatwave; Temperatures Soar Above 45°C
New Delhi/Lucknow, May 19 (TNA) Large parts of North India are reeling under a severe heatwave today, with temperatures crossing 45°C in several cities and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of continued sweltering conditions over the next few days. Residents across Delhi‑NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and adjoining states have been advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activity and stay hydrated during the peak afternoon hours.
Official IMD bulletins show maximum temperatures in the range of 42–47°C across many north and central districts, with cities such as Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Akola (Maharashtra), Barmer (Rajasthan) and Delhi recording readings well above seasonal norms. In Delhi, several stations reported “feels‑like” temperatures above 42°C, even as the capital remained under a yellow heat‑alert advisory.
The IMD has classified heatwave conditions as “likely to severe” in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and parts of central India through the coming week. State governments and local administrations have issued guidelines to schools, municipal workers and construction sites to limit outdoor work during peak heat hours and to provide water and shaded rest areas.
In Delhi, several stations reported “feels‑like” temperatures above 42°C, even as the capital remained under a yellow heat‑alert advisory.
Doctors in major hospitals in Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur and Chandigarh reported a noticeable rise in heat‑related ailments such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunstroke, particularly among elderly citizens and outdoor labourers.
Authorities have urged people to wear light‑coloured cotton clothing, avoid heavy physical exertion under midday sun, and check on vulnerable family members, especially those with pre‑existing heart or respiratory conditions.
The forecast indicates that the acute heatwave will persist for the next two to three days, with only marginal relief from occasional thunderstorms or localised rainfall in some regions.
The IMD has indicated that the early‑season heatwave may ease only after the onset of more active monsoon activity over the subcontinent, underscoring growing concerns about the compounding impact of climate change on India’s summer extremes.