Delhi sizzles at 42.7C, IMD predicts no relief as ‘severe heat wave’ grips most of India — 3 states on red alert today | Today’s news

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of sweltering heat in the coming days as it has predicted more heatwaves to severe heatwaves over central India over the next 6 days. At the same time, eastern adjoining peninsular India is likely to witness similar weather conditions till May 26, while residents of northwest India can expect heat waves to severe heat waves between May 24 and 29.

The IMD issued a red alert for parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and predicted “severe” heat conditions on May 24. Delhi, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Assam, Telangana, parts of Karnataka and West Bengal and coastal Andhra Pradesh are on orange alert today.

What to do and what not to do during heat conditions

As a precaution, residents of these regions must:

Heat conditions are likely in isolated/some areas of the following:

• Across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh; Vidarbha till May 29; with severe heat conditions over eastern Uttar Pradesh; East Madhya Pradesh; Vidarbha in the same period.
• Over Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi between 24th and 29th May with severe heatwaves likely in some/many pockets during 24th to 27th May.
• Over Rajasthan till 29th May with severe heat waves likely in isolated/some pockets over West Rajasthan during 24th to 29th May.
• Across Telangana till 26th May.
• Across West Jharkhand till May 25; Bihar on 24 May; Interior of Odisha; Chhattisgarh till 27th May.
• In addition, the IMD has warned of hot and humid weather over Gangetic West Bengal till 24 May; Coastal Odisha till May 27; Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on 24 May. Warm night conditions are likely in isolated pockets over interior Odisha till May 27; in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Vidarbha on 24 May.
• Urging farmers to be cautious during extreme weather conditions, the IMD warned of rising temperatures that can silently affect crop health. Extreme heat can reduce growth, reduce yield and increase plant stress. In a post on X, the IMD said: “When heat exceeds optimal levels, crops struggle to maintain their natural processes, leading to reduced productivity.” During this time, farmers must ensure proper irrigation, use mulch to maintain soil moisture, and regularly monitor crops for signs of heat stress.

In view of the advance of Southwest Monsoon, the IMD has predicted isolated heavy to very rainfall likely over Kerala and Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Northeast and adjoining East India during the next 3-4 days. “The southwest monsoon has advanced over some parts of southwest Arabian Sea, some other parts of southeast Arabian Sea, Comorin area, southwest, southeast and east central Bay of Bengal and most parts of Andaman Sea,” the meteorological office said.

Today’s weather in Delhi

Delhi’s Ayanagar monitoring station recorded the highest maximum temperature of 42.7°C on Saturday. The IMD predicted a rise of 2-3°C in maximum temperatures during the next 3 days and around 2°C in minimum temperatures in the coming day, predicting heat waves from May 24 to 28. In its press release, the IMD said the maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 43°C to 45°C and 27°C to 29°C.