Delhi recorded 44.5°C at the Safdarjung base station on Saturday. On Monday, April 27, the mercury is holding between 43°C and 45°C across the National Capital Region — covering Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad.
To be clear about what this means: 45°C in late April is not normal. Heatwaves of this severity typically arrive in May or early June. The fact that we are seeing these temperatures with a month still to go before peak summer is what has meteorologists genuinely concerned.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for Delhi-NCR for April 27. Orange means "take action." Not just "be careful" — action. Avoid direct sun between noon and 4 PM, hydrate frequently, stay indoors, watch for heatstroke symptoms.
The official forecast for April 27 points to continued extreme heat through the afternoon. Dry northwesterly winds and clear skies have persisted for over 48 hours, essentially acting like a furnace fan across the plains.
Also Read: Why India's Pre-Monsoon 2026 Is More Dangerous Than It Looks
IMD's official evening bulletin from April 26 confirmed heatwave conditions are very likely in isolated to several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, and Gujarat through April 27. East Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh face alerts through April 28.
A new Western Disturbance is making its presence felt in northwest India, which may bring some localised thunderstorm activity by late evening on April 27 — but this is not meaningful rainfall. At best, a brief dust storm (locally called "Andhi") may cut temperatures by a degree or two for a short window. The Indian Meteorological Department has put the probability of any actual rain in Delhi at around 20% today.
The more significant relief is projected from April 29, when easterly winds may push moisture into the region, creating conditions for thunderstorms and potentially pulling maximum temperatures down by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.
Also Read: Delhi Just Hit 40°C Again — And IMD Says This Is Just the Warm-Up Act
Worst-Affected States Right Now
- Rajasthan: Sri Ganganagar has already hit 44.5°C — currently the highest recorded temperature in the country. Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Bikaner are not far behind.
- Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow recorded 42.5°C. 32 districts in the state are under a heatwave alert.
- Punjab and Haryana: Both states are in heatwave territory, with Chandigarh also under warning.
- Bihar and Jharkhand: Eastern India is experiencing the tail end of this system, with temperatures 3 to 5°C above seasonal averages.
- Himachal Pradesh: Severe heatwave in parts — unusual for a hill state at this time of year.
The Air Quality
The heatwave is not the only thing making Delhi unliveable right now. The Air Quality Index has climbed to 228-243, which puts the city in the "poor" category, and is expected to worsen as dust from Rajasthan blows in on dry westerly winds.
For children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions, this combination — extreme heat plus particulate matter — is genuinely dangerous. Hospitals across Delhi-NCR have reportedly seen an uptick in heat-related admissions over the past week.
The Central Pollution Control Board has asked people with lung conditions to limit outdoor exposure. This is advice many daily wage workers, construction labourers, and delivery workers simply cannot follow.
Why This April Is Different
March 2026 was mild — almost cool in parts of north India. The transition from a lingering February chill to this kind of April heat has been abrupt. The absence of pre-monsoon western disturbance activity has meant no cloud cover, no cooling showers, and no natural buffer to the rising temperatures.
There is also a structural change that meteorologists have been tracking for years: India has been registering higher temperatures earlier in the calendar year, with the "hot season" expanding both forwards (into April) and backwards (lingering into October). This year's April numbers are consistent with that longer trend, not just an aberration.
India made headlines this week globally — a statistics monitor noted that 92 to 100 of the world's 100 hottest cities were in India during this period. That is a striking number, whatever its methodological caveats.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If you are in Delhi-NCR or any of the affected northern states:
- Stay indoors between 12 noon and 4 PM if at all possible
- Drink water regularly, even without thirst
- Wear loose, light-coloured cotton clothing
- Watch for heatstroke symptoms: very high body temperature, no sweating despite heat, confusion, or unconsciousness
- If you see someone collapsed in the heat — they are a medical emergency, not just someone resting
For outdoor workers — labourers, vendors, delivery agents — there are very few policy protections in place for mid-day heat exposure. Municipal corporations in some states have issued advisories, but enforcement is essentially non-existent.
Also Read: 42°C Outside. Here's the Science of How to Keep Your Home 5°C Cooler Without AC.
Looking Ahead
Rain is expected to arrive progressively: Punjab and Haryana may see light precipitation from April 27 to 30, Uttar Pradesh from April 28 to 30, and Rajasthan during April 27-29. But "light rainfall" in heatwave conditions does not break the heat instantly — it can actually raise local humidity and make conditions feel worse before they improve.
The real question is what May and June bring. El Niño conditions have been projected as a factor that could intensify this summer further. If April at 45°C is what we are starting with, the months ahead will test power infrastructure, water supplies, and public health systems across north India.
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Q: What is IMD's Orange Alert for heatwave?
Orange Alert means "Take Action" — it signals severe weather requiring active precautions, including avoiding outdoor activity during peak hours and preparing for potential health emergencies.
Q: When will the Delhi heatwave end?
IMD predicts some relief from April 29, when easterly winds and thunderstorms may drop temperatures by 2-4°C. However, high temperatures are likely to persist into May.
Q: Which state is most affected by the current heatwave?
Rajasthan currently leads with Sri Ganganagar recording 44.5°C — the country's highest temperature. Delhi, UP, Haryana, and Punjab are also severely impacted.
Q: Is Delhi's air quality dangerous during the heatwave?
Yes. The AQI in Delhi has hit 228-243, placing it in the "poor" category. Combined with extreme heat, this creates dangerous conditions for people with respiratory conditions.