A severe heatwave has swept across large parts of India, leaving roads and markets deserted during the hottest hours of the day, while some farmers have shifted their agricultural activities to nighttime to cope with the extreme conditions.
The India Meteorological Department has projected maximum temperatures of around 45 degrees Celsius (113°F) for Thursday in New Delhi, where authorities have set up temporary “cooling zones” to provide relief to residents and visitors. The weather agency cautioned that the intense conditions are expected to persist across several northern regions in the coming days, with temperatures remaining significantly above seasonal norms. Officials have urged the public to remain indoors during peak heat hours and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
In India, a heatwave is officially declared when temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F) in the plains and 30°C (86°F) in hilly areas.
The ongoing extreme temperatures have significantly disrupted routine life across multiple northern states. In parts of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, afternoon closures of roads and markets have become common as residents stay indoors, while traders have shifted operations to early morning hours. Farmers have also adjusted their schedules, carrying out fieldwork at night as daytime heat becomes increasingly unbearable.
The heatwave has also affected education, prompting authorities in several regions to advance summer vacations and suspend classes. Temperatures reportedly surged to 48.2°C (118.8°F) on Tuesday in the city of Banda, intensifying concerns over public safety. Health officials have advised people to avoid outdoor exposure during peak afternoon periods, maintain hydration, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as dizziness or high fever occur.
In New Delhi, residents and tourists have been seeking refuge in specially established cooling shelters across the capital. These shaded facilities are equipped with air coolers, fans, drinking water, and oral rehydration solutions designed to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. Inside one such shelter on Wednesday, people rested near cooling units while officials distributed water mixed with rehydration salts.
“We had come here for outing. But it is too hot here. The cooling system here is good for us,” said Basharat Ahmad Malla, a 25-year-old tourist.
Climate scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India to broader global warming trends linked to climate change. The country has experienced a rising number of severe heat events in recent years, with all of its warmest recorded years occurring within the past decade.
“India has warmed considerably as a result of anthropogenic (human-made) climate change in the last decade compared to previous years. Northwestern India has warmed much faster than many other parts of the country,” said Anjal Prakash, author of several climate reports for the United Nations and professor of public policy at Flame University in Pune.
Prakash added that while heat is a familiar seasonal feature in India, climate change is intensifying its severity, saying it is “loading the dice towards extreme and pervasive episodes like those we see now.”
Public health research indicates that between 2008 and 2019, up to 1,116 people died annually due to heat-related causes. Experts warn that the actual death toll is likely much higher, as heat is frequently not recorded as a direct cause of death on official documents, leading to significant underreporting.
