From Delhi to UP, heat wave intensifies across India; Banda records a season high of 48°C. See full list inside | Today’s news
Large parts of India remained in the grip of an intense heat wave on Wednesday, with several districts in north, central and western India recording temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Uttar Pradesh’s Banda became the hottest place in the country after recording a maximum temperature of 48 degrees Celsius.
The IMD said maximum temperatures in northwest, west, central, adjoining east and north India remained in the range of 40°C to 47°C in the last 24 hours.
Severe heat conditions in Uttar Pradesh
According to the IMD, the weather conditions in both the meteorological sub-regions of Uttar Pradesh remained dry during the last 24 hours. The state also witnessed widespread heat conditions, including “toilet” and “severe toilet” conditions in several districts.
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The meteorological agency said heat wave to severe heat wave was recorded at isolated places in eastern Uttar Pradesh, while western Uttar Pradesh experienced heat wave at several places. Extremely hot night conditions were also reported in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
In addition, strong dusty wind was observed at isolated places in western Uttar Pradesh.
The IMD noted that day temperatures rose significantly in Ayodhya division, including districts like Ambedkar Nagar, Barabanki, Ayodhya, Sultanpur and Amethi, where temperatures increased by 2.1°C to 4°C in the last 24 hours.
Prayagraj division – which includes Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Kaushambi and Pratapgarh – recorded temperatures “noticeably above normal”, with variations exceeding 5.1°C.
Several divisions, including Lucknow, Jhansi, Agra and Meerut, recorded “well above normal” temperatures, with variations ranging from 3.1°C to 5°C.
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Districts in Varanasi, Kanpur, Bareilly and Moradabad divisions also reported temperatures above the seasonal averages.
North India continues to reel under extreme heat
The IMD said heat wave to severe heat wave prevailed in many areas of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand.
Heat waves were also reported in parts of Punjab, East Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh and West Uttar Pradesh.
At 2.30 pm on May 21, Bramhapuri and Chandrapur in Vidarbha recorded temperatures of 46.4°C, one of the highest in the country during the afternoon hours.
The Met department further said that temperatures remained well above normal in several states including Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
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States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Telangana, Odisha and Vidarbha also continued to witness temperatures well above normal levels.
IMD issues heat wave warning
The IMD has warned that severe heat waves are likely to continue in several regions in the coming days.
According to the forecast, heat waves to severe heat waves are “very likely” in many or some areas of Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi between May 21 and May 27.
Punjab is expected to remain under heat wave conditions during the same period.
The weather agency said that East Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness heat wave to severe heat conditions between May 21 and May 27, while West Uttar Pradesh is expected to continue to experience heat waves in the next few days.
Heatwave conditions are also expected in parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, Telangana, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Warm night conditions are likely in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, Haryana and Delhi, according to the IMD.
The ministry also warned of hot and humid weather conditions over Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry later this week.
Rising heat across multiple states
The latest IMD data highlights the widespread nature of the current heat wave, with large parts of northern and central India experiencing temperatures well above seasonal averages.
With several districts crossing the 45°C mark and weather conditions expected to remain unfavorable in the coming days, authorities in many states continue to advise people to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and stay hydrated.
