Severe Heatwave Grips North, Central India For 6th Day; Mercury Crosses 45°C In Several Cities

Last Updated:June 14, 2025, 23:13 IST

Experts have raised concerns over the rising heat in the hilly regions, warning that sustained high temperatures could accelerate glacier melt

People take protection against the scorching sun on a hot summer day, in New Delhi, on Wednesday. (PTI photo)

A relentless heatwave continued to grip large swathes of north and central India for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday, with maximum temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius in several cities and unseasonably high temperatures reported even in parts of the hill states.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), maximum temperatures remained over 5.1 degrees Celsius above the seasonal norm in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya, and in isolated pockets of sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.

Many regions of Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir also recorded appreciably above-normal temperatures.

Experts have raised concerns over the rising heat in the hilly regions, warning that sustained high temperatures could accelerate glacier melt, raise the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and increase forest fire vulnerability.

Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar and Churu emerged among the hottest places in the country, both recording a maximum of 46.5 degrees Celsius—5 and 4.1 degrees above normal, respectively.

In Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj and Kanpur reported maximum temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius and 44.9 degrees Celsius, while Ghazipur saw a significant departure from normal with 44.5 degrees Celsius, 6.3 degrees above average.

In Madhya Pradesh, Hoshangabad logged 45.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Khajuraho (44.7 degrees Celsius), Nowgong (44.6 degrees Celsius), and Gwalior (42.5 degrees Celsius).

Delhi Reels Under Intense Heat

Delhi also reeled under intense heat, with Aya Nagar and Palam recording maximums of 42.2 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius. The heat index in the national capital surged to a dangerous 53.8 degrees Celsius, factoring in humidity levels.

While May was relatively cooler this year—thanks to the early arrival of the southwest monsoon and frequent thunderstorms—rainfall has drastically reduced since early June.

This shift triggered a rapid temperature spike across many regions from June 8–9, resulting in widespread heatwave conditions.

Even traditionally cooler regions such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir have reported significantly above-average temperatures in recent days.

The IMD’s extended range forecast suggests that the monsoon is likely to advance over the remaining parts of central and eastern India and some areas of northwest India by June 18. It is expected to cover most of northwest India between June 19 and 25, and reach Delhi by June 22–23—earlier than the usual onset date of June 30.

Typically, the southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala around June 1, reaches Mumbai by June 11, and covers the entire country by July 8. It begins its withdrawal from northwest India around September 17 and completes its retreat by October 15.

In 2023, nearly 48,000 heatstroke cases and 159 deaths were reported by hospitals across the country. According to National Crime Records Bureau data, 8,171 heat-related deaths occurred outside hospitals between 2015 and 2022.

Health Ministry data accessed by PTI records 3,812 heat-related deaths in hospitals during the same period.

Experts caution that the true toll may be far higher, citing India’s fragmented reporting systems and challenges in attributing deaths directly to heat exposure.

Ronit Singh

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...Read More

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...

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News india Severe Heatwave Grips North, Central India For 6th Day; Mercury Crosses 45°C In Several Cities