Heatwave in India: IMD has issued orange alert for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Large parts of northern, central and western India, including Delhi, are still suffering from scorching heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in multiple states and authorities scrambling to limit the impact on daily life.
While parts of the national capital received rain on Saturday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) heatwave warning in the city continued till May 28.
The Meteorological Department has warned that heatwave conditions are likely to continue over the coming days, with severe heatwave conditions already being reported from parts of Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha states. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh are also among the regions facing extreme temperatures.
The IMD maintained orange alert in the coastal states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. A red alert remains in force in southern Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha and northern coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Punjab changes school and office timings
As temperatures rise steadily, Punjab has announced immediate changes in working hours in schools and government offices.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that all government offices, public and private schools in the state will operate from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm from May 25. This step aims to reduce exposure to the peak heat in the afternoon, especially for children and employees who move around in harsh weather.
Delhi is buzzing despite the short dip
Delhi witnessed brief rainfall on Saturday, easing heatwave conditions in the capital. However, heat stress in Delhi is expected to continue till May 28.
At Ridge Station, an official heatwave condition was established after the maximum temperature reached 45.3 degrees Celsius on Friday.
Other parts of the capital also reported scorching temperatures, including 44.5°C in Ayanagar, 44.3°C in Lodhi and Palam Road, and 43.6°C in Safdarjung.
The IMD has kept heatwave alert in Delhi till May 28 and has forecast temperatures ranging from 44°C to 46°C over the next few days.
Uttar Pradesh is facing harsh conditions
Southern Uttar Pradesh remains among the worst affected areas in the country. The IMD has issued a severe heatwave warning in eastern Uttar Pradesh till May 28, while Banda district recorded a scorching temperature of 46.4 degrees Celsius.
Gujarat and Uttarakhand also under ‘heat stress’
Urban centers in Gujarat continued to record temperatures ranging between 42°C and 43°C, prompting health officials to issue repeated warnings.
In Rajkot, Medical Officer of Health Jayesh L Vakani urged residents to avoid going outdoors unnecessarily during the afternoon hours.
In Uttarakhand, officials described conditions in plain areas such as Dehradun and Haridwar as “heatwave-like”, with temperatures ranging between 40 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius.
Relief in Shimla, alerts continue elsewhere
While the plains were experiencing unrelenting heat, some hill areas witnessed a temporary shift in the weather.
Shimla and adjoining areas recorded a drop of 6-8 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours due to western disturbance.
Sandeep Kumar Sharma, chief scientist at IMD, said rainfall accompanied by thunder may occur in parts of Chamba, Kangra and Kullu.
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgment and a clear understanding of what makes a story important and action-driven. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya strikes a thoughtful balance between news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring that stories resonate beyond the immediate headlines. Over the course of her three-year journey in digital news, Shivya has worked across a wide range of industries, including politics, civic issues, human interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to engage with stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is analyzing complex developments or shedding light on everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human interest stories, interviews and explanations that provide depth and clarity, and aims to go beyond superficial reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Before joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a wide range of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism. Outside of the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafes, drawn to good coffee, cozy spaces, and thoughtful conversation. Shopping is another hobby she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of making unexpected finds. Above all, she values the time she spends with her loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that last a long time.Read more
