As temperatures continue to climb across several Indian states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heat alerts for multiple regions, warning of severe heatwave conditions in the coming days.
A yellow alert has been issued for Delhi as the national capital braces for a sharp rise in temperature and heatwave conditions over the next two days. The IMD also placed Gujarat under a red alert for today, with an orange alert in effect from April 8 to 10, particularly targeting the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, where heatwave conditions are intensifying.
Kandla in Gujarat recorded the highest temperature in the country yesterday at 44°C. In total, 21 cities across five states registered temperatures above 42°C, marking the onset of a potentially severe heatwave spell.
Key IMD Alerts:
- Red Alert: Gujarat (April 7)
- Orange Alert: Gujarat (April 8–10), Rajasthan (April 7–8)
- Yellow Alert: Delhi (April 7–8), Rajasthan (April 9–10)
- Heatwave Warning:
- Himachal Pradesh (April 7)
- Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab (April 7–10)
- West Uttar Pradesh (April 7–9)
- Madhya Pradesh (April 8–10)
Rajasthan’s Barmer has broken early-April records with a maximum temperature of 45.6°C, which is 6.8°C above normal. Meanwhile, heatwave conditions are also expected to prevail in parts of Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Coastal areas of Gujarat, as well as Konkan and Goa, are expected to experience hot and humid conditions from April 7 to 9, further straining local populations and infrastructure.
While battling the heat, Delhi is also facing deteriorating air quality. As of 9 am, several districts showed moderate to poor AQI levels:
- Anand Vihar: 292
- Chandni Chowk: 198
- ITO: 209
- Okhla Phase 2: 293
- RK Puram: 221
- Wazirpur: 260
Authorities have advised citizens to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure, and limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours. Schools and local administrations are also being urged to take precautionary measures as conditions worsen.
