According to the weather department, a marginal rise in minimum temperatures contributed to the worsening conditions in the capital. Safdarjung, the city’s base weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 25.2 degrees Celsius, which is 2.5 degrees above normal. By 2 pm, the maximum temperature had climbed to 39.6 degrees Celsius, while the “feels like” temperature reached 42.4 degrees Celsius, reflecting the intensity of heat stress in the region. Other weather stations across the city also reported a similar upward trend in minimum temperatures.
The IMD defines a heatwave when the maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and is at least 4.5 degrees above normal, or when it reaches 45 degrees Celsius or more. For the capital, the declaration requires at least two stations to meet the criteria, including Safdarjung.
Beyond Delhi, extreme temperatures have been recorded across several states. In Uttar Pradesh, the city of Prayagraj registered the highest maximum temperature in the country at 45.2 degrees Celsius. The state capital Lucknow recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius, which is 3.4 degrees above the seasonal average.
In Rajasthan, the desert city of Barmer reported a maximum temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius, with most parts of the state experiencing temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Similarly, in Odisha, cities such as Rourkela and Jharsuguda recorded temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius. In Malkangiri district, although the recorded temperature remained at 37 degrees Celsius, the “feels like” temperature surged to a staggering 52 degrees Celsius, indicating extreme humidity-driven discomfort.
The IMD has also forecast heatwave conditions across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and central India between April 25 and April 27. In addition, hot and humid weather is expected to prevail in isolated pockets of Gangetic West Bengal on April 25, and across Odisha from April 25 to 27. Similar conditions are likely over Tripura, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal regions including Konkan and Goa and Coastal Karnataka during the specified dates.
Despite the prevailing heat, a slight respite may be on the horizon. Mahesh Palawat, Vice President at Skymet Weather, indicated that no immediate relief is expected on Saturday but noted the possibility of rainfall across northwest India between April 26 and April 28. He attributed this to a developing cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan, which could bring light rain and marginal cooling across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies for Sunday in Delhi, accompanied by surface winds reaching speeds of up to 35 kilometers per hour. While no alert has been issued for the day, thunder-like conditions are expected on Monday, followed by the possibility of light rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The ongoing heatwave underscores the growing intensity of early summer conditions across India, with multiple regions simultaneously experiencing extreme temperatures and heat stress. The situation highlights the urgent need for preparedness as meteorological patterns continue to evolve, posing significant challenges to public health and daily life.
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