Severe heatwave tightens grip on North India; Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana among worst-hit as temperatures cross 40°C
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 22, 2026:A severe pre-summer heat spell continues to grip large parts of northern India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting widespread maximum temperatures in the range of 40°C to 44°C across several regions.
According to the latest IMD observations, day temperatures remained particularly harsh over parts of Haryana–Chandigarh–Delhi, eastern Rajasthan, western Madhya Pradesh, western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar (western parts), Jharkhand, Gujarat, Odisha, and Telangana’s northern regions. Many areas in these belts are experiencing conditions close to or above heatwave thresholds, leading to intense daytime discomfort and rising demand for water and electricity.
In northern India specifically, most parts of Haryana, Delhi, and adjoining regions recorded temperatures touching the higher end of the seasonal range, while Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh also reported significantly above-normal heat conditions. In several pockets, mercury levels hovered between 40°C and 42°C, intensifying dry and hot winds during the afternoon hours.
Elsewhere, temperatures over most parts of the country remained between 36°C and 40°C, except the western Himalayan region and northeast India, where comparatively cooler conditions prevailed with readings below 36°C.
The hottest temperature recorded in the country on April 22, 2026, was 44.6°C at Jharsuguda in Odisha, underlining the severity of the ongoing heatwave conditions across central and eastern India.
The India Meteorological Department has indicated that such conditions are typical of pre-monsoon heat build-up, but warned that continued high temperatures may increase heat stress risks, especially for vulnerable populations such as outdoor workers, children, and the elderly.