Banda, a city in Uttar Pradesh, recorded a temperature of 48.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, as a severe heatwave continues to grip large parts of northern India. Roads and markets have emptied during afternoons, with residents staying indoors to avoid the scorching sun.
Farmers in the region have begun working at night to escape the unbearable daytime conditions. Schools have also been affected, with authorities in several areas announcing early summer vacations and suspending classes.
The India Meteorological Department forecast maximum temperatures of around 45C in Delhi on Thursday, where authorities have set up temporary cooling zones. These shelters provide air coolers, fans, drinking water, and oral rehydration solutions to help people cope with the extreme heat.
Health authorities have urged the public to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and seek medical help if symptoms such as dizziness or high fever occur. The heatwave is expected to persist across several northern regions in the coming days, with temperatures remaining well above seasonal averages.
Climate experts link the rising temperatures to human-made climate change. Anjal Prakash, a professor at Flame University in Pune, said: “India has warmed considerably as a result of anthropogenic climate change in the last decade compared to previous years. Northwestern India has warmed much faster than many other parts of the country.”
Studies show that up to 1,116 people have died each year between 2008 and 2019 due to heat, though public health experts believe the true number is likely in the thousands, as heat is often not listed on death certificates.
