As India faces an early and intense summer, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded widespread heatwave alerts across central, northern, and eastern states, with temperatures already surpassing 44°C in several regions. The alert, issued on April 22, 2025, comes in the wake of an unprecedented spike in temperatures, and IMD forecasts that these extreme conditions will persist through late April, with some areas likely to experience severe heat well into May. This early onset of summer is not only setting new temperature records but also amplifying health risks, straining infrastructure, and challenging the resilience of communities across the country.
The IMD’s latest bulletins reveal that states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Delhi, and parts of Madhya Pradesh are under varying levels of heatwave alerts—ranging from yellow to red—depending on the severity of the conditions. For example, Rajasthan is under a red alert, with Barmer recording a scorching 45.6°C and Phalodi reaching 43.6°C in early April.
Gujarat’s Saurashtra-Kutch region is also on high alert, with Kutch and Rajkot both exceeding 43°C. Delhi, meanwhile, is under a yellow alert, with temperatures climbing above 40°C and expected to reach 42°C, while similar warnings have been issued for Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and other states. The IMD has specifically warned that northwest and central India may experience twice as many heatwave days as usual this summer, with some eastern and central states potentially facing 10 to 11 heatwave days in April alone—well above the typical 4 to 7 days.
According to IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the seasonal outlook for April to June 2025 points to above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures across most of India, excluding only a few pockets in the extreme southern and northwestern regions. The IMD has ruled out El Nino as a factor this year, attributing the intense heat to persistent high-pressure systems and disrupted weather patterns.
This trend is expected to continue, with the IMD forecasting two to four additional heatwave days in most of north, east, and central India, as well as the plains of the northwest. The implications are significant: not only are vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses at increased risk of heat-related illnesses, but the prolonged heat is also expected to impact agriculture, water supply, and energy demand.
Government agencies and state authorities have responded by issuing public health advisories and preparedness plans. The Delhi government, for instance, has launched a comprehensive Heat Action Plan, which includes setting up cooling centers, distributing water, and training volunteers to assist during emergencies. Schools are being advised to modify schedules to protect children from peak heat hours, and employers are urged to provide shaded rest areas and hydration for outdoor workers. The IMD and health experts strongly recommend that citizens avoid outdoor activities between 12 PM and 4 PM, stay hydrated, wear light clothing, and seek immediate medical attention in case of heatstroke symptoms.
IMD Issues Heatwave Alert Across Multiple States: A Deadly Heatwave Grips India
The India Meteorological Department has issued orange and yellow alerts for heatwave conditions across several states, including Telangana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of central and eastern India. Telangana has been placed under an orange alert from April 24 to 26, with districts such as Nirmal recording blistering temperatures of up to 44.5°C.
The National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi faces yellow-level warnings, while Uttar Pradesh and Odisha are under orange alerts, signaling severe heat threats. According to IMD meteorologists, a north-south trough disrupting usual weather patterns is intensifying the heat across these regions. The heatwave is expected to persist until April 28 in central and northwest India and until April 26 in eastern India, with some relief anticipated only by the weekend.
The IMD’s forecast highlights that this year’s heatwave season will be more severe than usual, with states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha potentially experiencing 10 to 11 heatwave days between April and June. Cities such as Delhi have already recorded temperatures above 40°C, with Rajasthan’s Barmer reaching a scorching 45.6°C in early April. The prolonged heatwave is raising concerns about public health, agricultural productivity, water scarcity, and energy demand, necessitating urgent action from authorities and citizens alike.
Recent IMD data highlights that the summer of 2025 is set to be one of the hottest on record, with both maximum and minimum temperatures expected to remain above normal across most of India. The IMD forecasts 6 to 11 heatwave days in April alone, which is significantly higher than the usual 4 to 7 days, especially in Eastern and Central India. This increase in heatwave days is a clear indicator of shifting climate patterns and underscores the urgency for enhanced preparedness, particularly as vulnerable populations—such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions—face greater risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Government and State-Level Heat Action Plans: Delhi Leads with Comprehensive Preparedness
In response to the escalating heat crisis, the Delhi government unveiled its Heat Action Plan 2025, aiming to mitigate the adverse impacts of extreme temperatures on vulnerable populations. Launched by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the plan includes establishing dedicated heatwave wards in major hospitals equipped with ICU beds, cooling facilities, and essential medicines to treat heatstroke and dehydration. Additionally, the government is installing 3,000 water coolers across the city, setting up shaded walkways, and implementing cool roof and green roof technologies at public buildings and bus stops to reduce urban heat.
The plan also focuses on public awareness campaigns, training over 1.4 million students across 5,500 schools on heatwave preparedness and safety measures. Volunteers known as ‘Aapda Mitras’ have been deployed to assist during heat emergencies, and an early warning system developed in collaboration with IMD issues graded alerts to inform citizens about impending heatwaves. Similar initiatives are underway in other states, with local authorities ramping up efforts to provide cooling shelters, ensure water availability, and educate the public on heat risk reduction.
The impact of these extreme temperatures extends beyond health concerns. The IMD warns that the prolonged heatwaves will strain water supplies and increase electricity demand for cooling, potentially leading to power outages and water shortages in affected regions. Agriculture is also at risk, as high temperatures can damage standing crops and reduce yields, threatening food security and farmer livelihoods. The IMD has advised farmers to take precautionary measures, such as adjusting irrigation schedules and protecting livestock from the intense heat.
Health Risks and Safety Measures: How Citizens Can Protect Themselves from Heat-Related Illnesses
Heatwaves pose significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic illnesses. The IMD and health experts warn of increased cases of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, and related complications during this period. To combat these risks, authorities urge people to avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours between 12 PM and 4 PM, stay hydrated with water and electrolyte-rich drinks like buttermilk and lemon water, and use protective clothing and sunscreen when venturing outside.
Public health advisories also recommend seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms of heatstroke—such as dizziness, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, or confusion—occur. The use of oral rehydration salts (ORS) and homemade hydration solutions is encouraged to prevent dehydration. Employers are advised to provide shaded rest areas and adequate water for outdoor laborers, while schools are urged to modify schedules and activities to minimize heat exposure for children.
Urban areas, particularly major metros like Delhi, are implementing innovative measures to combat the effects of the heatwave. The Delhi government’s Heat Action Plan 2025 includes the installation of green and cool roofs, the creation of shaded canopies in public spaces, and the deployment of mobile cooling units equipped with fans and first-aid kits. Authorities are also focusing on safeguarding informal workers, who make up over 80% of Delhi’s workforce, by calling for paid heat leave, free water ATMs at labor hubs, and legal recognition of the “right to cool”. These targeted interventions are crucial for protecting the most vulnerable, including street vendors, construction laborers, ragpickers, and women workers, who are disproportionately affected by extreme heat.
Finally, the IMD’s seasonal outlook for April to June 2025 projects that above-normal temperatures and an increased number of heatwave days will persist across North, East Peninsular, Central, and East India, as well as the plains of Northwest India. While some parts of the Northwest, such as Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, may see normal nighttime temperatures, the overall trend points to more frequent and severe heat events. The IMD continues to urge residents to stay informed, follow health advisories, and take all necessary precautions to minimize the risks posed by this year’s relentless heatwave.
Broader Implications: Climate Change, Infrastructure Challenges, and the Need for Long-Term Adaptation
The severe heatwave gripping India this year is part of a broader pattern of climate change-induced extreme weather events that threaten public health, agriculture, and economic stability. Rising temperatures exacerbate water scarcity, strain electricity grids due to increased cooling demand, and disrupt daily life, particularly in urban centers. Experts emphasize the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies, including urban planning that incorporates green spaces, heat-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable water management.
The IMD’s early and detailed heatwave alerts play a critical role in enabling governments, communities, and individuals to prepare and respond effectively. However, long-term solutions require coordinated efforts across sectors to build resilience against the growing threat of extreme heat. Public awareness, investment in healthcare infrastructure, and policy measures targeting emissions reduction and environmental sustainability are essential to mitigate future heatwave impacts.
India’s escalating heatwave crisis, as highlighted by the IMD’s urgent alerts and government preparedness plans, underscores the critical challenges posed by extreme temperatures. With temperatures soaring above 44°C in many regions and vulnerable populations at risk, coordinated action and public vigilance are vital. As the nation confronts this deadly heatwave, the focus remains on safeguarding health, ensuring water and electricity supply, and adapting to a warming climate that demands resilience and proactive measures.
Follow: India Meteorological Department
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