New Delhi, India – A substantial portion of northern India, including the national capital Delhi, finds itself under a heatwave alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Temperatures are projected to reach up to 44 degrees Celsius, with severe heatwave conditions anticipated in some areas. The alert covers states such as Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The IMD has designated multiple states across North India with a yellow alert for heatwave conditions, signalling an impending spike in mercury. This warning comes as forecasts indicate heatwave conditions prevailing in isolated pockets across Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi until May 23. Similar conditions are expected in Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha until May 21, Chhattisgarh on May 20 and 21, and Uttar Pradesh until May 23, with severe heatwave conditions likely from May 19 to May 23.
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The prevailing extreme temperatures have prompted school closures in several states. Haryana will observe summer holidays from June 1 to June 30, while Bihar schools will remain closed from June 1 to June 20. Telangana has already implemented summer holidays from April 24 to June 11 due to early heatwave conditions. Rajasthan schools are shut from May 17 to June 20, citing severe heatwave conditions.
Wider Context: A Global Phenomenon
This intense heat in India is not an isolated event. Across the globe, regions have been grappling with escalating temperatures and their associated risks. Europe, in particular, has experienced several significant heatwaves in recent years.
France has seen multiple instances of early and prolonged heatwaves. In June and July 2025, the country faced a substantial heat dome, leading to widespread alerts. Schools were closed, and authorities issued red alerts in Paris. Temperatures frequently reached between 32°C and 38°C, with nights remaining exceptionally warm. By August 2025, the heatwave continued, exacerbating fire risks and pollution levels. Even earlier in February 2026, France recorded over 130 seasonal heat records, a trend that had followed more than 40 days of above-average national temperatures.
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The United Kingdom has also been under the influence of heatwaves, with forecasts predicting temperatures as high as 30°C in London during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend of May 2026. This follows a period of unsettled weather, with some regions experiencing or bracing for temperatures exceeding 25°C and even 30°C throughout May 2026. Reports from July 2023 highlighted the UK bracing for potentially record-breaking temperatures, alongside analyses of how heatwaves pose a significant risk to those who cannot afford to escape the heat.
Underlying Causes and Broader Impacts
The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves are directly linked to climate change. Meteorologists, such as those at Météo-France, have indicated that the number of extreme heat days could increase tenfold under standard climate warming scenarios. This phenomenon, often described as a 'heat dome', occurs when a high-pressure system traps hot air, leading to prolonged periods of extreme temperatures.
Read More: Delhi heatwave peaks at 44°C, yellow alert issued
The impacts of such heatwaves are multifaceted and severe:
Health Risks: Heatwaves are identified as one of the most dangerous natural weather hazards, contributing to increased human mortality and posing significant risks to public health.
Environmental Strains: Compromised water supply and quality, increased wildfire risks, and amplified air pollution are direct consequences. Marine heatwaves have also had profound impacts on ecosystems, causing coral bleaching and death.
Economic and Social Disruption: Heatwaves can lead to power shortages, agricultural losses, and necessitate adaptations in public and worker safety regulations. In France, new provisions were introduced in February 2026 to protect public sector employees from heat-related risks, reflecting earlier efforts since 2018 to adapt workplace regulations. The potential for technology to aid in environmental monitoring during heat events, as seen with the deployment of TERNWAVES' Golden Modulation™ technology in Orléans in September 2025, highlights emerging responses to these challenges.
