Delhi sizzles at 40.5°C, hottest March since 2022; IMD predicts 'double the heatwave days'

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, according to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The temperature in the capital was among the highest recorded across the country, as several regions experienced rising temperatures.

In Maharashtra, multiple cities recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Akola reported the highest temperature in the state at 42.0 degrees Celsius, with a departure of 3.0 degrees Celsius. Brahmapuri recorded 41.9 degrees Celsius, while Chandrapur saw 41.2 degrees Celsius.

Other locations, including Jalgaon, Amravati, and Nagpur, recorded maximum temperatures ranging between 40.0 degrees Celsius and 40.4 degrees Celsius. The IMD data further showed that parts of Madhya Pradesh also experienced high temperatures. Hoshangabad recorded 40.9 degrees Celsius, with a departure of 3.9 degrees Celsius, while Shivpuri recorded 40.0 degrees Celsius, marking a 5.7 degrees Celsius increase.

Damoh, Guna, and Nowgong also recorded 40.0 degrees Celsius, with temperature deviations ranging from 4.1 degrees Celsius to 4.6 degrees Celsius. In Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj recorded 41.6 degrees Celsius, while Jhansi saw 41.1 degrees Celsius, with a departure of 5.2 degrees Celsius. Kanpur recorded 40.0 degrees Celsius. In Rajasthan, Chittorgarh recorded a temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius. In Chhattisgarh, Rajnandgaon recorded a temperature of 41.0 degrees Celsius, showing a significant departure of 7.8 degrees Celsius.

Telangana's Nizamabad reported 40.1 degrees Celsius, while Andhra Pradesh's Nandyal recorded 40.0 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, IMD has predicted nearly double the number of heatwave days across Northwest India. Typically, the region records five to six heatwave days in a season, but this year, it is likely to experience 10 to 12 days.

The IMD official did not comment on whether this year will be warmer than 2024, which was India's hottest year on record. Last year, the country experienced 554 heatwave days. MeT defines a heatwave as when the maximum temperature in the plains reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius or is five degrees above normal. The IMD's latest Seasonal Heat Outlook for March to May 2025, released on February 28, warns that most parts of the country will experience above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures.

However, the southernmost regions of Peninsular India and some isolated areas in the Northeast may see near-normal or slightly below-normal temperatures.

"During the season (MAM), above-normal minimum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country except some isolated southernmost regions of Peninsular India where normal minimum temperatures are likely," the forecast mentioned. In the coming days, North India is expected to heat up further, with Delhi and its neighbouring areas likely to see a rise of 1-2 degrees Celsius. However, the arrival of north-westerly winds will bring a sharp dip in maximum temperatures by 3-4 degrees due to dust-raising winds from Rajasthan. Blowing at 20-30 km/h, these winds will sweep across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan for the next three days, making the weather dusty and dry.

With inputs from ANI