Delhi is expected to face a heatwave on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting the maximum temperature to rise to around 42 degrees Celsius. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius early in the day, with humidity levels at 24 per cent at 8:30 am.
According to the IMD, a heatwave is declared in the plains when the maximum temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or above. For coastal areas, the threshold is 37 degrees Celsius, and in hilly regions, it is 30 degrees or more.
The heatwave conditions come alongside poor air quality in the capital. At 9 am, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 239, which falls under the 'poor' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards.
The CPCB categorises AQI levels from 0 to 50 as ‘good’, 51 to 100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 as ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 as ‘poor’, 301 to 400 as ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘severe’.
Heatwaves hit several parts of India
India is currently experiencing an intense heatwave, with maximum temperatures exceeding 44°C in several parts of the country, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather office has issued yellow and orange alerts across multiple states, warning of potentially hazardous conditions.
Telangana remains one of the worst-affected states, with Nirmal district recording a high of 44.5°C — among the highest temperatures reported this season.
The IMD has placed the state under an orange alert from April 24 to 26, citing increased risk of heat-related illnesses.
Districts such as Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, and Jagtial are witnessing extreme heat, triggered by a north-south trough disrupting regular atmospheric patterns. IMD-Hyderabad has advised people to avoid direct sun exposure, especially between 12 PM and 4 PM.
The heatwave extends beyond Telangana, affecting large swathes of north, central, and eastern India. In the Delhi-NCR region, maximum temperatures are hovering between 41°C and 43°C, prompting a yellow alert. In Uttar Pradesh, cities like Agra and Kanpur are under an orange alert, with temperatures nearing 44°C. Bihar’s capital Patna is forecast to touch 40°C, while Odisha’s Jharsuguda and Bolangir have already reached similar highs.
These alerts reflect a broader trend of persistent heat across the country. Orange alerts, indicating severe heatwave conditions, have been issued for many areas, signalling a higher risk of heat-related health concerns. Hospitals in several districts have reported a rise in cases of heatstroke and dehydration, stretching emergency response systems.
Local administrations in states such as Telangana have issued district-level advisories. Cities including Hyderabad and Patna have seen reduced activity in public spaces during afternoon hours, as residents remain indoors to avoid the scorching sun.
The IMD has forecast that the heatwave is likely to continue through the week, with some regions possibly seeing marginal relief by the weekend.
According to the IMD, a heatwave is declared in the plains when the maximum temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or above. For coastal areas, the threshold is 37 degrees Celsius, and in hilly regions, it is 30 degrees or more.
The heatwave conditions come alongside poor air quality in the capital. At 9 am, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 239, which falls under the 'poor' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards.
The CPCB categorises AQI levels from 0 to 50 as ‘good’, 51 to 100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 as ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 as ‘poor’, 301 to 400 as ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘severe’.
Heatwaves hit several parts of India
India is currently experiencing an intense heatwave, with maximum temperatures exceeding 44°C in several parts of the country, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather office has issued yellow and orange alerts across multiple states, warning of potentially hazardous conditions.
Telangana remains one of the worst-affected states, with Nirmal district recording a high of 44.5°C — among the highest temperatures reported this season.
The IMD has placed the state under an orange alert from April 24 to 26, citing increased risk of heat-related illnesses.
Districts such as Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, and Jagtial are witnessing extreme heat, triggered by a north-south trough disrupting regular atmospheric patterns. IMD-Hyderabad has advised people to avoid direct sun exposure, especially between 12 PM and 4 PM.
The heatwave extends beyond Telangana, affecting large swathes of north, central, and eastern India. In the Delhi-NCR region, maximum temperatures are hovering between 41°C and 43°C, prompting a yellow alert. In Uttar Pradesh, cities like Agra and Kanpur are under an orange alert, with temperatures nearing 44°C. Bihar’s capital Patna is forecast to touch 40°C, while Odisha’s Jharsuguda and Bolangir have already reached similar highs.
These alerts reflect a broader trend of persistent heat across the country. Orange alerts, indicating severe heatwave conditions, have been issued for many areas, signalling a higher risk of heat-related health concerns. Hospitals in several districts have reported a rise in cases of heatstroke and dehydration, stretching emergency response systems.
Local administrations in states such as Telangana have issued district-level advisories. Cities including Hyderabad and Patna have seen reduced activity in public spaces during afternoon hours, as residents remain indoors to avoid the scorching sun.
The IMD has forecast that the heatwave is likely to continue through the week, with some regions possibly seeing marginal relief by the weekend.
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