Delhi Records Season’s First Heatwave Conditions As North India Faces Extreme Heat

Delhi and several regions across North India remain under the grip of an intense heat spell, with soaring temperatures and dry winds making daily life increasingly difficult.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has signalled that the situation is unlikely to ease soon, forecasting continued harsh conditions through Saturday. In Uttar Pradesh, officials have issued a severe heat warning covering 32 districts.

Temperature levels in the capital have shown little variation over the past day.

Night-time readings stayed between 23°C and 26°C, while daytime highs rose to 42–43°C.

In many areas, temperatures have exceeded the seasonal norm by 1.6°C to 3.0°C, worsening the overall discomfort.

Friday marked the first occurrence of heatwave conditions in parts of Delhi this season.

Although the Safdarjung observatory did not officially classify the day as a heatwave, other monitoring stations did meet the required threshold.

At Safdarjung, the maximum temperature reached 41.9°C, about 4.2°C above average and slightly higher than the previous day. The minimum settled at 24.5°C, also above normal levels but marginally lower than Thursday’s reading.

Under IMD guidelines, a heatwave is recorded when temperatures exceed 40°C and remain significantly above the usual range by 4.5°C to 6.4°C.

Both Lodhi Road and Ridge stations satisfied this condition, registering highs of 41.8°C and 43.1°C, respectively, with departures from normal nearing 5°C.

In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, the prolonged hot spell continues to intensify.

Weather authorities expect the extreme conditions to persist at least until April 25, affecting both daytime and nighttime temperatures.

The heatwave alert spans districts including Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, and Bahraich, among others. Residents have been urged to remain cautious, limit exposure to direct sunlight, and take preventive measures to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Also Read: Heatwave Tightens Grip Across India; IMD Forecasts Storms In Several Regions