Delhi May Touch 42°C as Northwest and Central India Brace for Six-Day Heatwave
New Delhi, April 4 — The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave warning for several parts of northwest and central India, predicting a significant rise in temperatures over the next six days. Daytime temperatures in Delhi are expected to climb as high as 42 degrees Celsius by April 6 or 7.According to the IMD, regions likely to be affected include:
- South Haryana
- Delhi
- West Uttar Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh
- Punjab
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- West Madhya Pradesh
Wider Warning Across India for April–June
Earlier this week, the IMD also projected above-normal temperatures from April to June, with a noticeable increase in the number of heatwave days. Central and eastern parts of the country, along with the northwestern plains, are expected to be the worst hit.Typically, India experiences four to seven heatwave days between April and June. However, the following states are expected to record higher-than-usual heatwave events this season:
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- Haryana
- Punjab
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- West Bengal
- Odisha
- Chhattisgarh
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Northern Karnataka
- Northern Tamil Nadu
Climate Trends and Warming Concerns
India has been witnessing increasingly intense summers in recent years. In 2023, the country reported 536 heatwave days, the highest in 14 years. Additionally, 2024 is already shaping up as a record-breaking year, with the first heatwave registered on April 5, although parts of the country had already seen heatwave conditions in late February.Experts attribute this alarming trend to climate change. A 2022 study projected that the risk of extreme heatwaves in India could increase tenfold in the 21st century, potentially affecting over 70% of the country’s land area.
Notably, 12 of the warmest years in India have occurred since 2006, with 2016 remaining the hottest year on record.
As temperatures soar and heatwave days increase, health officials and authorities have urged residents in affected areas to take necessary precautions, stay hydrated, and avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours.