The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for severe heatwaves across the plains of northwest and central India [1, 2].
These alerts signal a critical public health risk as extreme temperatures threaten to disrupt daily life and increase heat-related illnesses across densely populated regions.
The IMD said that conditions ranging from heatwaves to severe heatwaves are expected to persist throughout the week in the plains of northwest and central India [2]. The agency has specifically identified affected areas including Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Gujarat [1, 3, 4].
In Delhi-NCR, the weather agency issued a yellow alert [1]. Meanwhile, a more severe red alert was issued for the entire state of Uttar Pradesh, effective for three days starting May 20, 2026 [3].
Meteorologists said that temperatures could rise above 46°C [1]. The IMD also said there is a possibility of additional heat increases between 2°C and 5°C during the heatwave period [5].
These warnings follow a series of alerts issued earlier this month between May 12 and May 17, 2026 [5]. The agency said that the scorching heat continues to impact northern regions, necessitating urgent precautions to avoid heatstroke and dehydration.
Local authorities in the affected states are monitoring the situation as the temperature spikes coincide with the peak of the pre-monsoon summer season.
“Temperatures could rise above 46°C”
The disparity between yellow and red alerts across different states highlights the uneven intensity of the heatwave, with Uttar Pradesh facing the most critical risk. The projection of temperatures exceeding 46°C, coupled with potential additional spikes of up to 5°C, suggests a high-stress environment for power grids and public health infrastructure in India's most populous states.
