Heatwaves

Power demand crosses record 256 GW as mercury levels rise across India

India's peak power demand hit an all-time high of 256.11 GW on Saturday due to an intensifying heat wave, which increased the use of cooling devices such as air conditioners and desert coolers, according to the latest power ministry data. The peak power demand on Saturday eclipsed the previous record of 252.07 GW, hit just a day earlier on Friday, April 24, at 1548 hrs. According to the power ministry data, peak power demand set a new high of 256.11 GW at 1538 hrs on Saturday, and it was fully met. Experts stated that peak power demand is inching towards the power ministry's estimate of 270 GW for this summer season, as mercury levels have begun to rise. Temperatures in several regions have been significantly above normal - by 5 degrees Celsius or more - indicating a developing heat stress scenario across parts of the country, according to the India Meteorological Department. On Saturday, Delhi recorded its highest maximum temperature of the year so far at 42.8 degrees Celsius, ..

Delhi records hottest day of 2026 as IMD warns of heatwave 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

Heatwaves, warm nights sear northern states; power demand hits record high

The scorching heat, which has been slowly but steadily gripping northern states, showed no signs of abating, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) released detailed guidelines and advisories on how to combat and survive heatwaves on Saturday, with Delhi logging its hottest day of the season, so far. Temperatures in several regions have been significantly above normal - by five degrees Celsius or more - indicating a developing heat stress scenario across parts of the country, according to the IMD. Meanwhile, India's peak power demand hit a record high of 252.07 GW on Friday following an intensifying heat wave, which pushed up the use of cooling devices like air conditioners and desert coolers, according to the latest power ministry data. The previous record high of 250 GW peak power demand was recorded in May 2024. Isolated areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and central India are expected to experience ..

Delhi sizzles at 42.8°C, logs hottest day of the year so far in April

The national capital sweltered on Saturday, recording its highest maximum temperature of the year so far. Several weather stations reported heatwave conditions across the city, even as the IMD has forecast rain from Monday to Wednesday, bringing some hope of respite to Delhiites. While a yellow alert had been issued for Saturday, a similar alert remains in place for Sunday as well, warning people of isolated heatwave conditions. On Saturday, Safdarjung, representative of the city's weather, recorded a maximum temperature of 42.8 degrees Celsius, 5.1 degrees above normal and a 0.9-degree rise from the day before, thus fulfilling the criteria for a heatwave. According to the India Meteorological Department, a heatwave is classified when the maximum temperature is 40 degrees Celsius or above, and it is 4.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees above normal. This was also the highest maximum recorded in Delhi in the last four years since 2022, when the maximum had reached 43.5 degrees Celsius on Apri

IMD issues heatwave advisory as temperatures rise across north India

With temperatures rising across several regions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) released detailed heatwave guidelines and advisories, officials said on Saturday. These include avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially during peak afternoon hours, staying adequately hydrated, wearing light and breathable clothing, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during high-temperature periods. The IMD advised special care for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. "The department emphasised that early awareness and preventive action are critical in reducing heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke," an official said. In its latest assessment, the IMD said that maximum temperatures in many parts of northwest, central, and peninsular India currently range between 40 degrees Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperature of 44.5 degrees Celsius recorded at Sri ...

India braces for more heatwave days; temperatures in Delhi to touch 44°C

IMD has forecast rising heatwave conditions across north, central and east India. Delhi, meanwhile, is set to experience intense heat on Friday with maximum temperatures touching 44°C

Hot & humid days ahead: IMD warns of heatwave across India till Apr 26

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

Extreme heat threatens livelihoods, global food systems, warns UN

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

IMD issues heatwave alert as temperatures cross 40°C across India

IMD warns of intensifying heatwave conditions across several states, with temperatures expected to cross 40 degrees Celsius in many regions

IMD issues heatwave alert for Delhi, UP as mercury set to cross 40°C

Heatwave conditions are very likely over large parts of central and northern India, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha, along with Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi

IMD sounds heatwave alert in North, rainfall warnings for Northeast

IMD forecasts heatwave in North India and rainfall in other regions, with temperatures rising in northwest India, while Delhi is likely to see partly cloudy skies today

Extreme heat: Kerala Disaster Management Authority issues public advisory

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

IMD issues alert for heatwave, strong winds across India as mercury rises

While temperatures continue to rise across most parts of India, IMD has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in the Northeast and southern states

Policy response to heatwaves remains cool even as nationwide instances grow

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

IMD forecasts heatwave conditions in Gujarat, MP over next few days

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

North India to see above-normal heat days in March; mercury to cross 30°C

According to the IMD, maximum temperatures are currently running 4-6 degrees Celsius above normal across many parts of northwest India and are expected to remain above normal in the next few days

IMD warns of hot spell in North India; rainfall likely in northeast

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

Mercury set to rise as IMD flags more heatwave days this summer

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

Warming world increases number of days with fire-prone weather: Study

The number of days when the weather gets hot, dry and windy - ideal to spark extreme wildfires - has nearly tripled in the past 45 years across the globe, with the trend increasing even higher in the Americas, a new study shows. And more than half of that increase is caused by human-caused climate change, researchers calculated. What this means is that as the world warms, more places across the globe are prone to go up in flames at the same time because of increasingly synchronous fire weather, which is when multiple places have the right conditions to go up in smoke. Countries may not have enough resources to put out all the fires popping up and help won't be as likely to come from neighbours busy with their own flames, according to the authors of a study in Wednesday's Science Advances. In 1979 and for the next 15 years, the world averaged 22 synchronous fire weather days a year for flames that stayed within large global regions, the study found. In 2023 and 2024, it was up to mor

India most vulnerable amid extreme heat risks, says new Oxford study

The study warns that if global warming reaches two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2050, nearly half of the world's population will be living with extreme heat