Heatwave Grips Nation as States Issue Alerts

A punishing heatwave has settled over large parts of India, prompting fresh warnings from weather agencies and swift action by state governments. Temperatures in several pockets are flirting with record territory, while humidity levels add to the misery. Delhi’s administration has directed all hospitals to stock medicines and increase bed capacity for heatstroke patients. Public advisories emphasize avoiding direct sunlight and limiting strenuous outdoor work between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Chandigarh-based forecasters say the current spell will linger across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh until western disturbances arrive late this week. They also point out that the frequency of heatwave days this season is markedly higher than in previous years. In Rajasthan’s Dholpur, streets empty by midday as residents retreat indoors. With temperatures hovering near 48 degrees, even nighttime offers scant relief, and local traders report a sharp drop in footfall. Bihar’s Gopalganj has shut primary and middle schools until month-end, restricting senior classes to morning hours only. Weather scientists in Patna have flagged Kaimur, Aurangabad, and Arwal as high-risk zones. In Prayagraj, commuters shield themselves with cloth masks and sip water constantly. Many attribute the extreme conditions to rapid urbanization and dwindling tree cover, urging civic bodies to expand green belts. Health professionals warn that prolonged exposure could lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and in severe cases, organ failure, especially among children and the elderly.