A severe heat wave continues to grip northwest India and is expected to spread to central and eastern regions over the next five days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned on Sunday.
This comes even as the monsoon has advanced over the South Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands. Delhi’s Najafgarh recorded the highest temperature in India at 47.8 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Mangeshpur at 47.7 degrees Celsius. The IMD has issued a red alert for all of northwest India, signalling that local agencies must take action to prevent heat-related emergencies. Maximum temperatures on Saturday ranged from 43 to 46 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. The heat wave coincides with polling in several northern states, raising concerns. Delhi and Haryana are set to vote on May 25, while Punjab and Himachal Pradesh will hold elections on June 1, concluding the seven-phase exercise. Polling is also scheduled in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, all currently experiencing hot weather. Elections have already been conducted in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
Najafgarh’s extreme temperatures are largely attributed to the urban heat island effect, which caused a peak more than three degrees higher than the maximum at Safdarjung, Delhi’s base station. Haryana also faced severe heat, with Mewat recording 47.2 degrees Celsius. On Sunday, Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan saw temperatures soar to 46.3 degrees Celsius. The IMD forecasts dry weather for the state, with maximum temperatures expected to rise by 1-2 degrees over the next 48 hours. An intense heat wave is anticipated in isolated areas of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Shekhawati regions.
Several places in Himachal Pradesh recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, with Una reaching 44.4 degrees and Bilaspur 42.4 degrees, six degrees above normal. In Punjab, Bathinda recorded 46.4 degrees and Patiala 45 degrees Celsius. The IMD advises people to stay hydrated, remain in cool environments, and seek immediate help if feeling unwell. The heat wave poses risks to livestock, water bodies, transport, and power sectors. Meanwhile, the monsoon has reached parts of the Maldives, the South Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands, and the South Andaman Sea, according to the IMD. The usual monsoon arrival date for the Andaman and Nicobar region is May 22.
A low-pressure area is likely to form over the Southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22, moving initially northeastwards and developing into a depression over central parts of the Bay of Bengal around May 24. The monsoon will be crucial for India’s agriculture sector. Already, hot weather and the lingering effects of a poor monsoon in 2023 have reduced water storage in 150 centrally monitored reservoirs to their lowest level in five years, exacerbating water shortages in at least 16 states and reducing hydro-power generation to a record low.
Storage in these essential water bodies – critical for drinking, irrigation, and power generation – is now only one-fourth of their total capacity, having declined consecutively for 32 weeks. Parched conditions have triggered severe drinking water crises in cities such as Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Kerala is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years, significantly affecting agriculture. In Hyderabad, Osmania University has closed its hostels and messes due to acute water and electricity shortages. As the country braces for the monsoon, the severe heat wave continues to challenge the resilience of millions, highlighting the urgent need for effective water management and climate adaptation strategies.
