North India is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, and experts warn that this is just the beginning of a potentially long and intense summer. Several regions are already under heatwave alerts, and temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for Delhi, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, forecasting maximum temperatures to reach up to 45 degrees Celsius in some areas.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, with temperatures expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius. Ayanagar in Delhi recorded 44.1°C on Sunday. The alert has since been upgraded to orange, indicating a higher likelihood of severe heatwave conditions. High humidity levels are exacerbating the discomfort, with humidity reaching as high as 70% in Delhi on Sunday night, making the temperature feel like 32 degrees Celsius even at 5:30 am.
Rajasthan is also facing extreme heat, with Shri Ganga Nagar recording a scorching 47.4°C. Barmer city in Rajasthan recorded 45.6°C on April 6 and 46.4°C on April 8, breaking previous April records. The IMD has indicated that North-East India, North-Uttar Pradesh, and North-Madhya Pradesh may also experience heatwave conditions.
The current heatwave is part of a larger trend of rising temperatures in India. The World Meteorological Organization confirmed 2024 as the warmest year on record, with a global mean temperature of more than 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average. This warming trend has continued into early 2025, with heatwaves and warm nights occurring as early as February and March. India's land temperature has risen by nearly 0.8°C since the beginning of the 20th century. The IMD has forecast above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures from April to June, with western India projected to experience seven to eight additional days of heatwave conditions this summer.
The extended range outlook for heatwaves from June 6th to June 12th, 2025, indicates a low to moderate probability of heatwaves in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
The severe heat is already impacting daily life. Public gatherings have been banned in parts of Maharashtra due to the extreme heat. Hospitals in Uttar Pradesh have been ordered to prepare for heat-related illnesses, and animal shelters are ensuring adequate shelter and water for animals. There have been rising cases of heatstroke and dehydration, particularly among outdoor workers and farmers.
The early heatwave in April, with temperatures exceeding 40°C across North India and reaching 49°C in parts of Pakistan, was largely driven by human-induced climate change, according to a study by ClimaMeter. Cities like New Delhi and Jaipur saw temperatures up to 5°C above normal. The heatwave disrupted daily life, overwhelmed electricity and water systems, and damaged crops. Power demand spiked, causing widespread outages and increased groundwater extraction.
The IMD has advised people to take precautions and avoid going out during the hottest part of the day. Residents in orange alert areas are advised to avoid heat exposure and combat dehydration. The government and communities need to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of prolonged heatwaves.
