Page 2 - Heatwaves

Govt calls for judicious power use amid soaring demand and heatwaves

Government urges consumers to conserve electricity as heatwaves drive record power demand, with peak consumption crossing 270 GW this week

Field hours for Census staff in Delhi rescheduled due to intense heat

The intense summer heat in Delhi has prompted the authorities to revise the field timings for the Census staff engaged in the ongoing house listing exercise across the national capital, officials said on Friday. The office of the divisional commissioner (revenue) has directed the enumerators and supervisors to undertake field visits only during morning and evening hours and avoid working during peak afternoon heat in view of the sharp rise in temperatures. The advisory aims to safeguard the health and well-being of field staff involved in door-to-door enumeration for the house listing and housing Census exercise, with the mercury reaching the 44-degree Celsius mark in Delhi in recent days. "In view of the rise in temperatures, the advisory emphasises undertaking field activities during morning and evening hours and avoiding peak midday heat to safeguard the health and well-being of the enumerators and supervisors," the order said. The direction followed an advisory issued by the ..

Delhi likely to cross 46°C as IMD issues heatwave alert across India

Extreme heat conditions persist across north and central India, with unusually high night temperatures, even as pre-monsoon rainfall brings some relief across eastern, northeastern, and southern parts

India's peak power demand hits record 265 GW amid heatwave conditions

The country's peak electricity demand touched a fresh record for the third straight day as severe heatwave conditions continued across several regions

Super El Niño 2026 threat grows: Why India could face major risks

A developing Super El Niño risks weakening India's monsoon, hurting farm output, raising food prices and intensifying heatwaves, posing risks to the economy at large

Heatwave grips north India as IMD issues yellow alert for Delhi-NCR

Temperatures in Delhi-NCR remain above 43°C; IMD warns of heatwave conditions across parts of north and central India till May 24

Urban homes stay hot at night as heatwave crisis looms, new study warns

Researchers said surveyed homes showed little cooling after sunset, with nighttime indoor temperatures continuing to remain between 32°C and 35.5°C

Climate Change crisis: IMD to change parameters to declare heatwaves

The IMD, along with its technical partners, will soon revise the criteria for declaring heatwave conditions in the country, as the present parameters do not suit India's geographical conditions, according to official sources here. Kerala, in particular, has faced difficulties in issuing heatwave warnings because of the limitations of the existing parameters. Sources in the India Meteorological Department said the state experienced severe heat and humidity this summer and, for the first time, weather forecasts were made based on the anti-cyclone system that formed near the KarnatakaMaharashtra coast. "We have never had an anti-cyclone system form closer to the South before, and this time we had to predict the weather based on it," a senior IMD official told PTI. Anti-cyclonic systems are common over north-western parts of India, but this year one formed near the southern region, leading to unusually hot nights. The anti-cyclone caused downward air movement, which pushed warm air ..

Rain, thunderstorms cool North India as heatwave persists in other regions

India is witnessing a sharp weather contrast, with heatwave conditions gripping parts of central and western regions while rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds bring relief to north and eastern states

Datanomics: Reservoirs below half capacity in peak summers for a decade

India's reservoirs remain below half capacity in peak summer for a decade, as heatwaves intensify and sub-normal monsoon forecasts raise water stress concerns

Advance action needed to protect vulnerable groups from heatwaves: NHRC

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, .

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