Amid soaring temperatures across North India, the national capital recorded a blistering 47.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, the highest temperature in the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave alerts for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Chandigarh, predicting that heatwave to severe heatwave alerts will persist over the next five days. On May 23, similar conditions are expected in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch.
Southern India Faces Heavy Rainfall
Contrasting the extreme heat in the north, three districts in Kerala—Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki—are under an extremely heavy rainfall warning, with the IMD issuing a “red alert” for Tuesday and Wednesday. Continuous rainfall has prompted the Kerala state government to activate emergency operations across all districts due to the risk of landslides and epidemics. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are also likely to experience isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.5-204.5 mm) on Tuesday, leading the IMD to issue an “orange alert” for these areas.
Heatwave Alerts from Across India
Delhi:
The heatwave has driven Delhi’s peak power demand to its highest ever for May. In response, the Delhi government has mandated that all schools, private and government-aided, commence summer vacations immediately, from May 11 to June 30.
Himachal Pradesh:
The State Education Department has adjusted school timings for classes 1 to 12 to 7:30 am to 1:00 pm following a heatwave alerts for several districts. Local authorities are making decisions based on their specific conditions, with instructions to provide two breaks and ensure adequate water arrangements for students. The heatwave is expected to persist in isolated pockets within the districts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Shimla for the next four to five days.
Rajasthan:
An Uttar Pradesh man died due to the heatwave in Kota, Rajasthan. The 44-year-old, identified as Mahendra Kushwah from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, was found dead near a hotel in Kota Dadwada on Sunday evening. Pilani, located in Jhunjhunu district, recorded the state’s highest temperature at 46.6 degrees Celsius.
Jammu and Kashmir:
Jammu experienced its hottest day of the season on Monday, with temperatures reaching 42.2 degrees Celsius, which is 3.9 degrees above the seasonal average. The Directorate of School Education has adjusted school timings in the division’s summer zones to operate from 8 am to noon to provide relief for students.
Noida:
The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration declared summer vacations for students in classes 9 to 12 at all schools in Noida and Greater Noida due to severe heatwave conditions. Summer holidays for students up to class 8 had already been declared. The district recorded a maximum temperature of 45.6 degrees Celsius on Monday, with the heatwave expected to continue for the next four days.
As temperatures soar and extreme weather patterns persist, authorities across India are taking measures to protect residents and manage the impacts of both heatwave and heavy rainfall.