Uttar Pradesh Braces for Extreme Heatwave, Red Alert Issued
Southern and southwestern Uttar Pradesh are reeling under an intense early summer heatwave, with temperatures crossing 45°C in multiple districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert till June 12. Experts warn that these soaring temperatures are not anomalies but symptoms of worsening climate volatility, calling for urgent reforms in urban planning and public health response.
A persistent heatwave continues to tighten its grip over southern and southwestern Uttar Pradesh, pushing daily temperatures well above 45°C in multiple districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert until June 12, highlighting sustained high temperatures and dry conditions across cities. The Bundelkhand region and the western Gangetic plains have been the worst hit. Even Lucknow, the state capital, was not spared. These conditions are severely impacting daily life, with people facing health risks, dehydration, and heat exhaustion.
Medical advisories have been issued across the affected districts, urging citizens to remain indoors during peak hours between 11 am and 3 pm. Authorities are emphasising increased hydration, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers. Hospitals have reported a rise in heatstroke-related cases, and schools in some districts have preponed summer vacations or shifted to half-day schedules.
Experts are increasingly linking such extreme heat events to broader climate change dynamics, urbanisation, and ecological degradation. The lack of adequate green cover, heatwave response mechanisms, and climate-adaptive infrastructure has made cities more vulnerable. In highly built-up zones, the urban heat island effect is exacerbating thermal discomfort, particularly in informal settlements where access to cooling or hydration facilities is limited.
Despite repeated warnings, most district administrations in the region still lack structured heatwave action plans. Public health specialists and urban planners argue for long-term interventions, including expanding tree canopy, introducing cool roofs, redesigning streets for water sensitivity, and ensuring equitable access to shaded public spaces. “We’re no longer talking about rare heat events — this is becoming our new normal,” says a Lucknow-based environmental consultant.
With the IMD forecasting more frequent and severe heatwaves in the coming years, experts are urging state and municipal governments to integrate climate resilience into all aspects of planning — from housing and transport to healthcare and public awareness. For the cities of southern and western Uttar Pradesh, the heatwave is not just a weather anomaly — it’s a wake-up call to reimagine urban futures with ecological balance and human safety at the core.
