New Delhi – India is going through one of the worst heatwaves seen in many years. If you step outside in cities like Prayagraj, Akola, Varanasi, or Bilaspur these days, you will understand why. The air feels like it is coming from an oven. Pavements are burning. Fans are running at full speed day and night. And yet, there is barely any relief.
The numbers tell a shocking story. According to data released by the air quality monitoring platform AQI.in, 95 out of the world’s 100 hottest cities on April 26, 2026 were located in India. Not in the Middle East. Not in Africa. India. A country of 1.4 billion people — and right now, it is the hottest place on Earth.
The India Meteorological Department, known as IMD, has issued heatwave warnings for the next three days covering large parts of northwest and central India. The states under alert as of April 26 include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
This is not just a weather story. It is a public health emergency. And for millions of poor Indians — daily wage workers, farmers, street vendors, school children — it is a fight for survival.
The Numbers That Are Shocking the World
Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature in the country at 45.2°C, making it one of the hottest cities on Earth on that day. Close behind were Akola and Amravati in Maharashtra, both touching 45°C and 44.8°C respectively. Jharsuguda in Odisha also hit 44.8°C.
According to IMD’s official heat bulletin, within just 24 hours, 14 cities across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and neighbouring states crossed the 44°C mark. Varanasi recorded 44°C, while Bilaspur and Buxar were also among the top 20 hottest places globally on the same day.
Uttar Pradesh has been particularly hard hit. Banda recorded 44.2°C, Sultanpur touched 43.4°C, Jhansi and Hardoi both reached 42.5°C, and even the state capital Lucknow registered 40.2°C — about 1.1 degrees above its normal temperature for this time of year.
In Delhi, the temperature has been hovering above 38–43°C, and the city is now under an orange alert, with day temperatures expected to remain between 43–45°C over the next three days. Nights in Delhi will also stay warm at 25–27°C, which means the body gets little time to recover from the daytime heat.
In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded 42.5°C, Gurugram and Sirsa touched 41°C each. Punjab’s Bathinda and Faridkot both reached 41.6°C.
Rajasthan, which is used to hot summers, is also seeing temperatures that are above normal. Kota crossed 42°C, while Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner are all recording above-normal maximum temperatures. The IMD has issued heatwave alerts for districts like Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu, Bharatpur, and Dholpur.
A Death in Kerala — The Human Cost
While numbers matter, what makes this heatwave deeply personal is the human cost it is beginning to claim. A heatwave-related death has been reported from Kannur in Kerala, as confirmed by reports on April 26, 2026. Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged residents to stay indoors between 11 am and 3 pm, calling this period a kind of informal “self-lockdown” for public safety.
Kerala receiving a heatwave advisory is itself unusual. The state is known for coastal winds and heavy monsoon rains. The fact that even Kerala is issuing public safety warnings shows just how far this extreme heat has spread across the country.
Health experts and doctors across India are urging people — especially the elderly, children, pregnant women, and outdoor workers — to take this warning seriously. Heatstroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion are real risks when temperatures stay above 40°C for multiple days in a row.
What IMD Has Said — The Official Warning
The India Meteorological Department, in its official press release dated April 26, 2026, has stated that heatwave conditions are likely to persist over isolated to scattered pockets of northwest and central India during the next three days.
According to IMD’s detailed bulletin:
- Heatwave conditions are expected in Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi through April 27.
- Warm night conditions — where nighttime temperatures stay unusually high — are expected in isolated pockets of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
- Hot and humid weather is expected in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, which makes the heat feel even more suffocating because the body cannot cool itself through sweating.
- Parts of Odisha will face hot and humid conditions on April 27 as well.
- Some relief through rainfall is expected only in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya in the northeast.
IMD’s programme scientist Roxy Krishnan had warned months ago, when predicting the 2026 summer season, that “heatwaves are more than an inconvenience; they can have serious impacts on human health, increase water scarcity, and drive higher electricity demand from cooling appliances.” That warning has now come true.
Schools Shut, Work Hours Cut — How Governments Are Responding
The governments of several states have started taking action, though many activists and public health workers say more needs to be done.
Odisha has announced the closure of all schools across the state starting Monday as a precautionary measure. Schools in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh have also been shut. In Rajasthan, districts like Jaipur, Kota, and Jaisalmer have shifted school timings to early morning, starting at 7:30 AM, so children can finish school before the worst of the heat sets in.
For workers employed under government schemes like MGNREGA, new rules have been put in place restricting outdoor labour to the hours between 6 AM and 1 PM only. Workers must stop before the hottest part of the afternoon.
In Delhi, the government has directed all schools — government and private — to implement a “water bell” system, where a bell is rung every 45 to 60 minutes reminding students to drink water. Schools have also been asked to run a “buddy system” where each student is paired with another to keep an eye on each other’s health. Outdoor assemblies and PE classes during peak heat hours have been restricted.
The IMD has sounded a red alert across 60 districts for heatwave conditions and has issued warm night warnings for 17 districts.
Why Is This Happening? The Science Behind the Heat
Many people are asking: why is India so hot this year, and why so early in the season?
Scientists and climate experts point to a combination of factors.
Climate change is the biggest reason. Global average temperatures have been rising for decades, and India — given its geography — is among the most vulnerable countries on Earth. Experts have consistently warned that extreme heat events will become more frequent and more intense in the coming years. What we are seeing now in April 2026 is a grim confirmation of those warnings.
Urban Heat Islands are making things worse in cities. Cities like Delhi, Nagpur, Lucknow, and Bhopal are covered in concrete and asphalt, which absorbs heat during the day and releases it slowly at night. This means city residents get no relief even after sunset. In contrast, areas with more trees and open land stay cooler.
Humidity is another hidden danger that is often ignored. A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) found that relative humidity in North India and the Indo-Gangetic Plains has increased by up to 10% over the last decade. When humidity is high, the body cannot sweat effectively, which is the main way it cools itself. This means even a temperature of 38°C can feel like 45°C or more, and can cause dangerous heat exhaustion faster than a dry heat would.
Delayed pre-monsoon showers have also meant there has been no natural relief from rainfall to cool down these regions. The dry conditions are making the air even more parching.
Deforestation and loss of green cover in and around cities has removed natural shade and reduced the cooling effect of plants, making areas hotter than they were even two decades ago.
The Bigger Picture: What This Heat Is Doing to People’s Lives
When people talk about heatwaves, they usually focus on temperatures and weather maps. But the real story is what happens to ordinary Indians during these weeks of extreme heat.
Daily wage workers — construction labourers, street vendors, auto-rickshaw drivers, farm workers — have no option but to work outdoors. They cannot “work from home.” Many of them risk their health and even their lives just to earn their day’s wages. Studies show that when temperatures cross 35°C, human physical performance starts dropping measurably. By 40°C, the risk of serious heat illness goes up sharply.
Farmers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra are struggling. Crops like wheat are heat-sensitive, and extreme temperatures in April — just before harvest season — can reduce yields and impact food security. Higher temperatures also increase irrigation demand, putting pressure on already-stressed water resources.
Children are at serious risk. Their bodies are smaller and they cannot regulate heat as efficiently as adults. Schools that continue outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours are putting students in danger.
The elderly are perhaps the most vulnerable. When the body is old, its ability to deal with heat stress is reduced. During extreme heatwaves, deaths among elderly people spike — often without anyone realising the heat was the cause.
Water shortages are also becoming a serious problem. During major heatwaves, water demand goes up sharply while the supply from reservoirs and rivers — already stressed from the dry season — comes under severe pressure. Evaporation rates from reservoirs increase dramatically in extreme heat.
Electricity demand surges as every household that can afford it runs fans, coolers, and air conditioners at full blast. This puts pressure on the power grid. States with already-stretched power infrastructure face outages, which in turn means no cooling for people who need it most.
Voices From the Ground
“People are suffering. We are opening our community halls as cooling centres, but there aren’t enough of them,” said a civic volunteer in Prayagraj, speaking to local media.
“My shop is on the footpath. I cannot close it. But by 2 PM, I feel like I am going to faint,” said a fruit seller from Lucknow who requested not to be named.
“We have told parents to ensure children drink water before leaving home and carry water bottles. But the bigger problem is that many schools in rural areas have no proper roofing or fans,” said a school principal from a rural district in Madhya Pradesh.
Climate researcher and IMD’s Roxy Krishnan had stated earlier this year: “Vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and outdoor workers face the highest heat-health risks during heatwaves, and we need both individual awareness and systemic preparation.”
Health Warning: What to Do and What Not to Do During a Heatwave
The IMD, Ministry of Health, and health experts have issued the following advisory for the public during this ongoing heatwave:
Do:
- Drink water every 30 to 60 minutes, even if you do not feel thirsty
- Stay indoors between 11 AM and 4 PM as much as possible
- Wear loose, light-coloured cotton clothes
- Use ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) solution if you feel dizzy or weak
- Keep wet cloth on your neck, head, and wrists to cool down
- Check on elderly neighbours, relatives, and those living alone
- Keep infants and young children away from direct sunlight
Do not:
- Go out without carrying water
- Wear dark, tight-fitting clothes in the heat
- Leave children or elderly people alone in parked vehicles
- Skip meals — eat light food with fruits and vegetables
- Drink alcohol or very sweet drinks — they increase dehydration
- Ignore warning signs like heavy sweating, muscle cramps, or confusion
Signs of heatstroke — seek emergency help immediately:
- Body temperature above 104°F (40°C)
- No sweating despite extreme heat
- Rapid heartbeat, confusion, or loss of consciousness
- The person is not responding to your questions
In case of heatstroke, move the person to a cool place immediately, apply wet cloth or ice to the neck, armpits, and groin, and call emergency services without delay.
What Is Likely to Happen Next?
According to IMD, some relief may come after three days, as conditions are expected to slowly moderate by the end of April. However, experts caution that May is typically the hottest month across much of India, and the heatwave could return or intensify before the monsoon arrives.
The Southwest Monsoon usually arrives in Kerala around June 1, and reaches Delhi and the northern plains around late June or early July. Until then, residents of North and Central India will have to brace for continued heat.
IMD’s long-range forecast for the summer season of 2026 had already predicted above-normal heatwave days over most parts of India between March and May. That forecast is now playing out exactly as warned.
FAQs
Q1. Why does India have 95 of the world’s 100 hottest cities in April 2026?
This is a result of a combination of factors. India’s geography places large parts of the country in tropical and semi-arid climate zones, which naturally experience high temperatures in pre-monsoon months. But beyond geography, climate change is pushing temperatures even higher than what was considered normal even 20 years ago. The urban heat island effect in Indian cities — where concrete and asphalt trap heat — makes cities hotter than surrounding rural areas. Additionally, the delayed arrival of pre-monsoon showers this year has meant there has been little natural cooling. The result is a situation where India, with its vast landmass and dense population, is recording extreme temperatures across dozens of cities simultaneously, making it statistically dominant in global heat rankings.
Q2. Which city recorded the highest temperature in India on April 26, 2026?
Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature at 45.2°C, making it one of the hottest places on Earth on that day. Other extremely hot cities included Akola and Amravati in Maharashtra (45°C and 44.8°C respectively), Jharsuguda in Odisha (44.8°C), Varanasi (44°C), Banda and Sultanpur in UP, and several cities in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
Q3. Has anyone died due to the heatwave in India in 2026?
Yes. A heatwave-related death has been confirmed from Kannur in Kerala, as reported on April 26, 2026. Health authorities have warned that the risk of heat-related deaths will increase if the current conditions continue, especially among elderly people, young children, and outdoor workers. Scientific studies have found that heatwaves in India are associated with a significant increase in daily mortality rates, particularly during the first few days of a heatwave event.
Q4. Which states are under IMD heatwave alert on April 26, 2026?
As of April 26, 2026, the following states are under IMD heatwave alert: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra (Vidarbha region), and parts of Odisha and Jammu-Kashmir. Warm night warnings — which means even nights will be unusually hot — have been issued for parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and UP.
Q5. What should I do to protect myself and my family during this heatwave?
The most important things are: drink water very frequently (at least every 30-60 minutes) even if you don’t feel thirsty; avoid going outdoors between 11 AM and 4 PM; wear loose, light-coloured cotton clothes; eat light meals and include fruits with high water content like watermelon and cucumber; use ORS if you feel weak or dizzy. Keep an eye on elderly family members and young children especially. If anyone shows signs of heatstroke — very high body temperature, no sweating despite the heat, confusion, or loss of consciousness — treat it as a medical emergency and call for help immediately.
Q6. When will the heatwave end in India?
According to the IMD press release of April 26, 2026, heatwave conditions are expected to persist for the next three days over northwest and central India, after which conditions may begin to ease slightly. However, May is typically the hottest month across much of India, and further heatwave spells are expected before the monsoon arrives. The Southwest Monsoon usually reaches Kerala around June 1 and arrives in North India in late June or early July. Sustained relief will only come with the monsoon.
Q7. Is this the worst heatwave India has ever seen?
While definitive comparisons with all past heatwaves require detailed analysis, the current situation — where 95 of the world’s 100 hottest cities are in India — is extraordinary by any measure. IMD had already predicted an “above normal” number of heatwave days for the March-to-May 2026 season. The early onset of extreme temperatures, combined with the geographic spread of the heatwave (from UP to Kerala), makes the 2026 summer one of the most severe on record. Scientists have long warned that events like this will become more common and more intense as climate change continues.
Q8. Why is it so hot even at night during this heatwave?
During intense heatwaves in Indian cities, concrete buildings and roads absorb heat during the day and release it very slowly at night. This is called the Urban Heat Island effect. Additionally, when there is no wind, the trapped heat stays close to the ground. Scientists have also noted that nighttime temperatures across India have been rising due to climate change. IMD has issued “warm night” warnings for several states, meaning that even after sunset, temperatures will remain uncomfortably high — offering the body little chance to recover from the heat stress of the day.