Hotter Than Delhi, Hyderabad? India’s Top 10 Hottest Cities Today

Last Updated:April 24, 2026, 10:01 IST

Real-time data from AQI.in shows that at least 10 cities across the country have already touched 40°C, underlining how quickly temperatures are rising this summer

India’s heatwave map is intensifying early in the day, with several lesser-known cities already matching — and in some cases outpacing — bigger metros like Delhi and Hyderabad. Real-time data from AQI.in shows that as of 10am, at least 10 cities across the country had already touched 40°C, underlining how quickly temperatures are rising this summer.

The early morning spike is being driven largely by conditions across north and central India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where multiple locations, including Mirzapur, Bilaspur and Banda, hit the 40°C mark well before noon.

Industrial hubs like Rourkela and smaller urban centres such as Fatehpur and Bindki also feature among the hottest places at this hour, reflecting a broad and widespread heat pattern rather than isolated spikes.

What makes this trend particularly concerning is the timing. Temperatures touching 40°C as early as 10am typically indicate a sharp climb through the afternoon, when peak readings are recorded. The India Meteorological Department has already warned of heatwave conditions in parts of north India, including New Delhi, where the mercury is expected to hover around 42°C in the coming days. In that context, the current readings suggest that several of these cities could surge past today’s early highs, potentially crossing more severe thresholds later in the day.

The uniformity of the readings — with multiple cities clustered at 40°C under clear, sunny skies — also points to stable atmospheric conditions that allow heat to build rapidly. With little cloud cover and strong solar radiation, regions across the Indo-Gangetic plains are heating up faster than usual, reinforcing the likelihood of prolonged heat stress over the next few days.

As the day progresses, these rankings are expected to shift, with temperatures continuing to rise and more cities entering the high-heat bracket.

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