Heatwave in North India: IMD issues 'red alert' for several states

This season, the temperatures did not rise the way it usually does in north and central India because of significant rainfall activity during April that continued till mid-May

With temperatures crossing the 45 degrees Celsius-mark in several parts of northern India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a "red" warning for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan for the next two days.

"The IMD has also issued an orange warning for a heatwave for east Uttar Pradesh," said Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre. He cautioned that temperatures could soar up to 47 degrees Celsius in some parts over the next 2-3 days.

"This is also for the first time this summer season that a red warning has been issued for heatwave," Srivastava