North India Sizzles as IMD Forecasts Heatwave; Mercury Crosses 43°C in West Bengal

PTI, April 22, 2026, New Delhi :  The mercury in several parts of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and West Bengal on Wednesday breached the 42-degree Celsius mark, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heatwave conditions over major parts of northwest, central and eastern India in the next four to five days.

According to the IMD, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi may experience heatwave conditions on April 24–25, while similar conditions are likely to prevail over parts of Uttar Pradesh (April 23–26), Rajasthan (April 24–26), Madhya Pradesh (April 23–26), Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh (April 24–27), and Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand (April 22–23).

A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature departs by 4.5°C to 6.4°C from normal, or when the actual temperature breaches the 45°C mark.

Delhi reeled under scorching heat on Wednesday, with the maximum temperature touching 42.1°C at the Ridge, which was 3.7°C above normal. Ayanagar followed at 41.4°C, 3°C above normal, while Safdarjung, the city’s base station, recorded 40.7°C, also 3 notches above normal, IMD data showed. The conditions in the capital are set to intensify further, with a heatwave forecast from April 24.

The 24-hour change in maximum temperatures ranged between 1.6°C and 1.9°C across stations. The minimum temperature also remained above or near normal at most places in Delhi, with Palam recording the highest minimum at 24.6°C, 1.3°C above normal, followed by Ayanagar at 23.5°C, 1.1°C above normal.

Rajasthan also witnessed a sharp rise in temperatures, with several places crossing 40°C. The state recorded a high of 43.7°C, while Pilani, Chittorgarh, Churu and Kota sizzled above 42°C. Jaipur recorded 40.5°C.

In Haryana, the maximum temperature remained above normal across most areas, with Narnaul emerging as the hottest at 42.5°C. Sirsa recorded 41.6°C, Hisar 41.2°C, Rohtak 42.2°C, Karnal 40.6°C, Ambala 40.3°C, and Gurugram 39.2°C.

Neighbouring Punjab also recorded above-normal temperatures, with Bathinda at 41°C, Patiala 40.4°C, Ludhiana 40°C, and Amritsar 39°C. Chandigarh recorded a maximum of 39.3°C.

In Himachal Pradesh, the weather office in Shimla issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds at isolated places from April 25–28. The warning covers Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts, where winds of 30–40 kmph are likely. Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti recorded the coldest night temperature at 3.8°C, while Una was the hottest at 38.7°C.

In West Bengal, IMD has warned of heatwave conditions in some southern districts till April 25, while thunderstorms are likely in parts of north Bengal during the week. Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman recorded 43.8°C, more than seven notches above normal. Bankura recorded 43.2°C, Asansol 42.5°C, and Purulia 42.3°C. Kolkata recorded 35.6°C.

In the coming days, day temperatures are likely to remain above normal by 3–5°C over western South Bengal and by 2–3°C over eastern and coastal areas. The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri till April 28.