New Delhi, April 22: A massive heat surge has placed 19 Indian cities among the 20 hottest places in the world, with temperatures in parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh crossing 44°C. Data from AQI.in showed that only one location outside of India—Lumbini in Nepal—made the top 20 list on April 21. Bhagalpur, Talcher, and Asansol recorded the highest temperatures at 44°C, while cities like Begusarai and Munger followed closely at 43°C.
The IMD declared that the heatwave is expected to intensify over the next 48 hours. In Uttar Pradesh, the town of Banda reached 44.2°C, while the state capital of Lucknow recorded temperatures over 40°C. Forecasters affirmed that dry weather conditions will continue to make the air feel more dehydrating across the northern belt. Although Rajasthan has yet to see its usual record-breaking figures, the weather department warned that heatwave conditions in districts like Sri Ganganagar and Bharatpur are imminent starting Thursday.
In response to the rising mercury, the Delhi government has issued fresh safety guidelines for educational institutions. Officials stated that schools must ring a bell every 45 to 60 minutes to remind students to drink water. They affirmed that a buddy system has also been mandated to allow students to monitor each other’s well-being. Furthermore, the government maintained that no outdoor activities or classes should take place during peak heat hours.
Meteorologists declared that the shift in ocean patterns and ENSO-neutral conditions are significant factors driving the current extremes. While Punjab and Haryana also reported above-normal temperatures, with Bathinda and Faridkot reaching 41.6°C, Himachal Pradesh is bracing for a shift in weather. Officials there asserted that a wet spell is predicted from April 24, which may offer some respite even as tribal communities in Jammu and Kashmir struggle with unseasonal snowfall during their migration.
