Severe Heatwave Sweeps Across Northern India

Northern India is experiencing intense heat, with Banda district in Uttar Pradesh recording a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The severe heat has affected several regions, surpassing the 45-degree mark that signifies a heatwave in the plains.

In addition to Banda, five other districts in Uttar Pradesh reported temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, with Orai at 45.8 degrees, followed by Jhansi at 45.5 degrees, Prayagaraj at 45.4 degrees, Agra at 45.3 degrees, and Hamirpur at 45.2 degrees. Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar recorded 47 degrees Celsius, the highest in the state, while Maharashtra's Brahmapuri also saw a peak at 46.6 degrees Celsius.

Elsewhere, Haryana's Sirsa hit 46 degrees Celsius, with Bhatinda in Punjab close behind at 45.8 degrees Celsius. In Delhi, temperatures reached 43.5 degrees Celsius at the Safdarjung observatory. Despite failing to meet the official heatwave criteria by a narrow margin, city residents eagerly await cooler days as the weather office predicts thunderstorms and rain from May 29.

(With inputs from agencies.)