Photo Credit: Reuters
North India is baking under one of the harshest heatwaves in recent memory, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounding red and orange alerts across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Temperatures are soaring beyond 46°C in several regions, while the heat index or “real feel” has neared an unbearable 50°C, sparking widespread public concern and health warnings.
Delhi’s Najafgarh area recorded a scorching 46.3°C, while other zones across NCR are only marginally behind. In Punjab, cities such as Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar, and Bathinda are facing similar extremes with mercury levels hovering between 44°C and 46°C. Haryana’s Sirsa has emerged as one of the hottest zones in the country at 46.4°C, and Chandigarh, too, has touched a season-high of 43.8°C.
The IMD attributes this intense spell to the combination of delayed pre-monsoon showers, dry and hot northwesterly winds, and clear skies that allow ground temperatures to rise rapidly. The absence of nighttime cooling has further worsened the situation, as cities continue to radiate heat well into the night.
Meteorologists are closely watching the formation of a western disturbance expected to arrive around June 13. While it may bring temporary cloud cover and scattered showers, it is not linked to the onset of the monsoon, which remains at least a couple of weeks away for North India. Until then, the heatwave is expected to persist, and red alerts will remain in effect for the most affected districts.
With the heatwave showing no signs of letting up, medical experts across the region are urging caution. Hospitals are already seeing an uptick in cases of dehydration, exhaustion, sunstroke, and heat-induced illnesses. Civic authorities in cities like Gurugram, Chandigarh, and Jaipur are trying to manage the crisis by ensuring water availability, shaded rest areas, and timely medical assistance.
The heatwave has also begun to disrupt daily routines. Schools in many states have either shifted to half-day schedules or declared temporary closures. Outdoor labor, especially in the construction and agricultural sectors, is being regulated to prevent sun-related health hazards. For urban dwellers, commuting and prolonged outdoor activity have become increasingly dangerous under the punishing sun.
Last summer saw one of India’s most severe heatwaves, but with June 2025 already pushing extreme thresholds, this year could break previous records. The weather department continues to monitor the situation and issue daily advisories to keep the public informed and prepared.
The scorching heat is testing the limits of infrastructure, public health systems, and human resilience. As India waits for the monsoon to break this brutal cycle, the advice from officials is clear — stay indoors when possible, stay hydrated, and stay alert.
