Before May even arrives, Delhi hits 43°C; 32 UP districts on alert as heatwave grips north India

Delhi and large parts of north India remained under the grip of an intense heatwave on Friday, with hot, dry winds and soaring temperatures leaving residents battling harsh summer conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that there is no immediate relief in sight, with another sweltering day expected on Saturday. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, authorities have sounded a severe heat alert across 32 districts.

The current spell marks one of the early-season surges in temperature, with several regions already recording heatwave conditions even before May sets in. Officials say both daytime highs and unusually warm nights are adding to discomfort, raising concerns over prolonged exposure and heat-related illnesses.

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Delhi records above-normal temperatures as heatwave sets in

Over the past 24 hours, Delhi has seen little variation in temperature levels. The minimum temperature hovered between 23°C and 26°C, while the maximum climbed to around 42-43°C. In multiple parts of the city, temperatures were recorded 1.6°C to 3.0°C above the seasonal average.

On Friday, parts of the national capital experienced the season’s first heatwave, even as the IMD maintained a yellow alert. The Safdarjung weather station, considered Delhi’s base observatory, did not officially record a heatwave. However, at least two other monitoring stations met the criteria.

Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 41.9°C, which is 4.2°C above normal and marginally higher than the previous day. The minimum temperature stood at 24.5°C, 1.8°C above normal.

According to IMD norms, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature crosses 40°C and is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above the normal range. Both Lodhi Road and Ridge stations ticked the heatwave criteria, with temperatures touching 41.8°C and 43.1°C. In simple terms, that’s well above what Delhi would usually see this time of the year.

Uttar Pradesh on alert as heat shows no signs of easing

Uttar Pradesh, meanwhile, is dealing with a prolonged stretch of punishing heat. The Meteorological Department has issued a severe alert for 32 districts, warning that the conditions are likely to continue through April 25, with both days and nights remaining unusually warm.

The districts under alert include Amethi, Sultanpur, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Prayagraj, Shravasti, Bahraich, Sonbhadra, Pratapgarh, Sitapur, Barabanki, Varanasi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Basti, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Pilibhit, Bhadohi, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Balrampur, and Shahjahanpur.

Officials have warned people to be careful as the continuing heatwave increases the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.