North India Sizzles at 48°C as IMD Warns of Prolonged Heatwave; Banda Hottest at 48°C. Where is Monsoons ?
New Delhi/Shimla:Plains Burn at 48°C While Hills Warm Up Faster; IMD Extends Heatwave Warning Across North India
New Delhi/Shimla: India’s summer fury tightened its grip on Thursday as vast stretches of north, central and eastern India reeled under an intense heatwave, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to warn that scorching conditions are likely to continue through the week.
The highest temperature in the country was recorded at Banda where the mercury soared to a blistering 48°C. Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions swept across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and parts of central India, leaving people struggling through hot days and unusually warm nights.
What is worrying weather experts more is that even Himalayan towns are heating up rapidly this season. Shimla recorded a high of around 30.5°C, far above normal for May, while Leh remained comparatively pleasant near 21°C.
High-altitude Kaza in Spiti Valley hovered around 20°C, still cooler than the plains but warmer than what locals traditionally expect.
Doctors and public health experts have appealed to people to slow down outdoor activity during afternoon hours and focus on hydration. Seasonal fruits rich in water — especially watermelon, musk melon and cucumber — are being recommended as natural shields against dehydration and heat exhaustion.
“Summer should not become a battle against nature. Staying close to greenery, trees, natural water sources and traditional cooling habits is becoming increasingly important,” said a senior physician, urging people to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Environmental observers say the expanding concrete landscape, disappearing forests and rising climate stress are turning even hill states into heat traps. They warn that unless cities and mountain towns protect their green cover, extreme summers may soon become the new normal.
At the same time, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain over parts of Bihar, Sikkim and Sub-Himalayan regions of West Bengal, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds in several eastern and southern states.
The weather office also said conditions are turning favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon over parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in the next few days.
#HeatwaveAlert #StayHydrated #ClimateEmergency #BeatTheHeat
