North India and Northeast Reel as Heat Index Soars Beyond 60°C Leaving Delhi Scorching
Parts of north and northeast India are enduring a blistering heatwave this week, with feel‑like temperatures — also known as the heat index — soaring past a staggering 60 °C in some areas, according to the latest Daily Heat Tracker from Down To Earth The data, captured on July 2, 2025, reveal a searing urban heat anomaly that has placed Delhi at the top of capital‑city daytime temperature comparisons nationwide.
Delhi recorded the highest feel‑like temperature among all state capitals, further emphasizing the severity of this heatwave. The capital experienced record high moisture‑laden heat, pushing the discomfort index into hazardous territory for public health. The oppressive conditions are a result of high ambient temperatures coupled with unusually elevated humidity — a dangerous combination that severely hampers the body’s ability to cool itself. On the morning of July 3, reports indicated that swathes of north India were enduring feel‑like temperatures well above 60 °C, creating living conditions more akin to a furnace than a city. Experts note that such elevated heat indices pose significant health threats, particularly to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, outdoor workers, children, and individuals with pre‑existing medical conditions. Even healthy adults are susceptible to heatstroke, dehydration, and fatigue under these extreme conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has responded to the crisis by issuing widespread advisories. Though the official alerts remain at the orange level, the severity of the situation suggests that immediate and sustained public warnings are essential. Residents are being urged to remain indoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., stay hydrated, avoid physical exertion during peak hours, and use sun protection. Healthcare facilities in Delhi and surrounding urban centres have reported a spike in heat‑related cases. Over the past 48 hours, medical professionals have recorded increased admissions for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke—even among individuals who were otherwise healthy. Hospitals are ramping up their internal heat‑response protocols, with additional staff assigned to emergency and triage areas and stocks of electrolytic solutions replenished.
Power utilities are also under severe stress as households and businesses scramble for relief through air‑conditioning and cooling fans. Electricity demand in Delhi has surged, reaching near-record peaks in the late afternoon. This spike has raised concerns about grid reliability and potential cascading failures if sustained over several days. Local authorities have initiated multiple relief measures. Municipal corporations have set up hydration kiosks and misting stations in public parks, bus stands, and major pedestrian corridors. Transport departments are advising cab and ride‑share operators to offer free water bottles to passengers. School administrations have relaxed dress codes, and some institutions have postponed afternoon classes to reduce children’s exposure.
Despite the crisis, analysts report that the peak appears to have passed by July 3, with a gradual dip in maximum heat index expected. However, the remainder of the week is still forecast to record excessive heat for most areas in north and northeast India. The IMD’s medium‑range outlook indicates no significant monsoon ingress in the region until late July, prolonging the current heat‑stress spell. Climate scientists are drawing a connection between the intensity of this heatwave and long‑term climate change trends. A recent study by the Council on Energy Environment and Water highlighted that most heat wave events in India are becoming hotter and more humid, with dampened night-time cooling failing to offer relief . The same report noted that Delhi is among the regions most vulnerable to oppressive heat, driven by rising humidity levels and diminishing nocturnal temperature drops .
Urban planners are also flagging the “heat‑island” effect in megacities like Delhi, where concrete, glass, and asphalt absorb and radiate heat long after sunset. With little greenery or open water bodies, city temperatures remain elevated overnight, reducing natural recovery time and exacerbating daily heat stress for residents . While the current heat crisis highlights existing vulnerabilities, it is also prompting a renewed focus on climate‑adaptive strategies. Experts stress the need for comprehensive Heat Action Plans that integrate urban greening, reflective building materials, expanded public cooling spaces, and climate‑aware employment schedules. States like Odisha and Ahmedabad have pioneered such frameworks, and climate scientists are advocating for their wider rollout .
However, officials caution that such policies need grassroots implementation, public engagement, and interagency coordination to be effective. They point to the need for better warning systems, heat‑risk mapping, and dedicated funds tied to weather disasters. Heatwaves in India, now eligible for state disaster funds, still receive fragmented attention .
As India navigates this searing summer, the data from the Daily Heat Tracker serves as a brutal reminder of the growing challenge posed by climate change. With temperatures already breaching 60 °C in perceived intensity, cities and communities now face a crucial test of resilience. The coming weeks may not see immediate relief, but the urgency for long‑term preparedness has never been clearer.
