Heatwave

India's cooling demand is surging with rising heat and incomes, but outdated rules are slowing adoption of cheaper, cleaner refrigerants that could ease pressure on the power grid

India's power grid handled record demand this summer, but rising heat, renewable growth and industrial expansion are testing whether its infrastructure can keep pace

Extreme heat and West Asia war disruptions strain India's energy supplies, driving power demand to record highs, triggering blackouts and worsening shortages of crude, LNG and cooking gas

Labour Ministry calls for urgent heatwave protection measures for workers

The country's peak power demand soared to 255.85 GW on Monday, reaching the record level for the second time within three days, driven by intense heatwave conditions that pushed usage of cooling appliances like air-conditioners and desert coolers. The surge in power demand, amid severe heatwave conditions across the north, central and western India, resulted in a significant rise in energy consumption, as users relied on air-conditioners and cooling devices to beat the heat. According to the power ministry data, peak power demand was recorded at 255.85 GW (nearly 256GW) on Monday, which was a tad below the highest-ever peak demand recorded at 256.11 GW on Saturday. Peak power demand started surging in the second half of this month and touched 252.07 GW on April 24. The power ministry on Tuesday said, "India has successfully met its all-time highest peak electricity demand of 256.1 GW on 25th April 2026 at 15:38 hrs without any shortage, while simultaneously maintaining electricity

Pointing to the disproportionate impact of rise in heatwave frequency and intensity on the marginalised sections, the NHRC on Tuesday asked 21 states and Delhi to take advance action to protect the vulnerable population. The elderly, children, infants and newborns are especially susceptible to the health impacts of extreme heat. Additionally, heatwaves can lead to the loss of livelihoods and an increased risk of fire accidents, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in a statement. Mercury levels have soared in various states in the country over the past few days and in Delhi, temperature readings have breached the 40 degrees Celsius mark at many places. In this context, the NHRC asked 21 states and Delhi to take advance action and implement relief measures to protect the vulnerable population during heatwaves. The states are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, .

Delhi's peak power demand crosses 7,000 MW in April for the first time as heatwave intensifies; discoms ramp up supply with renewables and short-term sourcing

IFAT urges binding protections including paid cooling breaks, water access, and emergency support for gig workers as extreme heat intensifies across India

Delhi recorded its highest temperature of the season at 42.8 degrees Celsius as IMD warns of continued heatwave conditions across north and central India

According to the IMD bulletin, heatwave conditions are very likely in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh till April 26

Recent climate datasets show global warming is accelerating, with 2025 ranking among the three hottest years on record, triggering more frequent and severe weather extremes

In view of rising temperatures across Kerala, the KSDMA has issued a comprehensive set of precautionary guidelines for the public to prevent heat-related illnesses. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), in a post on its social media handle, warned that extreme heat could lead to serious health conditions such as sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration, urging people to take adequate safety measures. According to the advisory, the public should avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm. People have been advised to stay hydrated by drinking sufficient quantities of clean water even if they do not feel thirsty, while avoiding beverages like alcohol, coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks that may cause dehydration during the daytime. Wearing loose, light-coloured cotton clothing and using protective gear such as umbrellas, hats, and footwear while stepping outdoors have also been recommended. The KSDMA further suggested increasing the intake

An early March heat spike has raised concerns of a prolonged summer as El Niño risks grow. While preparedness has improved, gaps in planning, funding, and implementation persist

Heatwave alert: Rising temperatures could drive a surge in power demand. Analysts see opportunities in select power stocks like NTPC, Tata Power, JSW Energy, and Adani Power.

IMD forecasts heavy rain in Northeast, storms in central and northwest India, while heat wave and hot-humid conditions persist in parts of east and coastal regions

Temperatures have surged across much of India, but the weather is set to remain mixed over the next few days, with heatwave conditions expected in parts of west India

A spell of light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning is likely over parts of the Northeast, along with showers in select southern statesA shifting weather pattern is set to bring thu

The IMD has forecast above-normal heatwave days from March to May across states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra, with rising temperatures in several regions

Above-normal heatwave days are expected over most parts of the country between March and May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its monthly forecast on Saturday. These parts include West Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, southern and eastern Maharashtra, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of north Karnataka and north Tamil Nadu. "During the MarchAprilMay (MAM) season, the increased likelihood of heatwave conditions may pose significant risks to public health, water resources, power demand, and essential services, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions," IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference here. During March, however, maximum temperatures are likely to be normal to below normal over many parts of the country, except northeast and east India, and some part

Wildfires raging across central and southern Chile on Sunday left at least 18 people dead, scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed hundreds of homes, authorities said, as the South American country swelters under a heat wave. Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the country's central Biobio region and the neighbouring Nuble region, around 500 km south of Santiago, the capital. The emergency designation allows greater coordination with the military to rein in two dozen wildfires that have so far blazed through 8,500 hectares and prompted 50,000 people to evacuate, according to Chilean Security Minister Luis Cordero. All resources are available, Boric wrote on X. But local officials reported that for hours on Sunday, destruction was everywhere and help from the federal government was nowhere. Dear President Boric, from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no (government) presence, said