An intense heatwave is set to grip several parts of India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing alerts for northwest and central regions, including Delhi. The national capital is forecasted to experience temperatures rising to 42°C between April 7 and 9, indicating an earlier onset of summer this year.
According to the IMD, maximum temperatures may rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in many parts of northwest India and Maharashtra over the next three days. A slight relief is expected after that, with a possible dip of 2 to 4 degrees. Central India is also likely to heat up in the coming days, while eastern states may see a brief drop in temperatures after a day of steady weather.
Some of the worst-affected areas will include Saurashtra and Kutch, where severe heatwave conditions are expected on April 7 and 8. East and West Rajasthan will also face extreme heat between April 7 and 10.
IMD has also predicted heatwave conditions in pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, West Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Punjab. Vidarbha, West Uttar Pradesh, and East Madhya Pradesh are also on the radar between April 8 and 10.
It’s not just the daytime heat that will be troubling. Warm nights are expected in some areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Saurashtra and Kutch. Coastal parts of Gujarat and the Konkan-Goa region will face hot and humid conditions, making it even more uncomfortable.
Delhi has already begun to feel the heat, with both maximum and minimum temperatures rising by around 2°C over the past 24 hours. Daytime temperatures remain up to 4°C above normal, while nights are still relatively stable. Calm surface winds and clear skies have provided little relief, and the coming days are expected to be even harsher.
As per the forecast, heatwave conditions are likely at many places in the city from April 7 to 9, with temperatures ranging between 40°C and 42°C. Winds will remain light and from the southeast, doing little to cool things down.
On April 10, Delhi might see some clouds and stronger winds, which could bring a slight drop in temperatures to around 38-40°C. Still, the heat is expected to continue, and people are advised to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day, drink plenty of water, and take precautions to stay cool and safe.
