Lucknow: As scorching westerly winds and clear skies intensified heat conditions, state capital remained under a rising summer spell on Sunday, with dry weather pushing temperatures above normal and signalling harsher conditions in the coming days. On Sunday, city recorded maximum temperature of 41.6 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above normal, while minimum temperature settled at 26.6 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal. The humidity levels ranged between 24% and 69%, adding to the discomfort among the residents.
Officials from India Meterological Department (IMD) Lucknow said dry conditions prevailed across the state and forecast a further rise in temperatures in Lucknow on Monday, with maximum likely to touch 43 degrees Celsius and minimum around 27 degrees Celsius. A heatwave warning has been issued for a few places in UP, with clear skies expected to persist over the next 24 hours. Senior scientist at IMD Lucknow, Mohammad Danish, said persistent hot westerly winds and the absence of cloud cover were responsible for the rise in temperatures. “With no sign of any active weather system, the city and nearby areas are likely to witness severe heat conditions accompanied by hot dry winds over the next few days,” he said. Across the state, the heat was more intense in southern districts. Banda recorded the highest maximum temperature in Uttar Pradesh and the country at 46.4 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest location in Asia on Sunday.
Other cities reporting high temperatures included Jhansi at 44.6 degrees Celsius, Prayagraj at 44.5 degrees Celsius, Hamirpur at 44.2 degrees Celsius, and Orai at 43.8 degrees Celsius.
Immediate Safety Measures
- Hydrate constantly: Drink water before feeling thirsty.
- Avoid peak sun: Stay indoors between 11 AM and 4 PM.
- Wear light clothing: Choose loose, light-colored cotton fabrics.
- Never leave anyone: Keep children and pets out of parked cars.
West Bengal election 2026: IMD issues heatwave alert, urges precautions — ‘Stay hydrated’ Indian Meteorological Deaprtment (IMD) on Thursday issued a heatwave alert for West Bengal where the voting is currently underway for the first phase.
Over 3.22 crore citizens are eligible to cast their ballots in a high-stakes showdown between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The weather department has forecast prolonged heat stress across 12 districts, with officials urging voters to head to the booths early, before 11 am, to avoid the peak temperatures expected between 11 am and 4 pm.
“In view of dry westerly and north-westerly winds at lower levels and seasonal solar heating, heatwave or hot and humid conditions are likely in some districts of south Bengal till April 25.”
To ensure a safe voting experience during the heatwave, the following precautions are recommended:
— Keep your head covered and use an umbrella to shield yourself from direct sunlight while waiting in line.
— Always carry a water bottle to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration.
— Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured cotton clothing to stay cool.
— If you or anyone around you experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion, immediately contact the on-site medical personnel for assistance.
— Except for the cooler northern belts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar.
— To ensure rigorous oversight and strict vigilance, a massive enforcement network has been activated. More than 5,000 Flying Squad Teams and over 5,300 Static Surveillance Teams have been deployed across the state.
Recognize Heat Exhaustion
- Heavy sweating
- Dizziness or nausea
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Cool, damp skin
To help me give you more specific safety advice or accurate local forecasts, could you tell me your city or region?
Extreme heatwave conditions are sweeping across the Vidarbha region. Today’s maximum temperature in the Isasani and Nagpur area is forecasted to hit a sweltering \(43^{\circ }\text{C}\), with “feels-like” temperatures nearing \(45^{\circ }\text{C}\) due to dry westerly winds. Harsher days are ahead, with peak highs potentially reaching \(46^{\circ }\text{C}\) by late May. At 46.9 Degrees, This Maharashtra City Is The Hottest In India Akola recorded 46.9 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature in the country, followed by Amravati at 46.8 degrees Celsius.
Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Nagpur experienced heat wave conditions.
Nagpur:
Akola in Maharashtra has recorded the highest temperature in the country at 46.9°C, while Nagpur and several other parts of Vidarbha reeled under a severe heat wave, MeT officials said on Monday.
Heat wave conditions are expected to persist across parts of the state’s Vidarbha region till Tuesday, as maximum temperatures may reach 45 to 46 degrees Celsius and touch 47 degrees Celsius at isolated locations, they said.
On Sunday, Akola recorded 46.9 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature in the country, followed by Amravati at 46.8 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department’s Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Nagpur.
Wardha sizzled at 46.4 degrees Celsius, Yavatmal logged 46 degrees Celsius, Nagpur scorched at 45.4 degrees Celsius, while Chandrapur recorded 45 degrees Celsius, as per the data.
Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Nagpur experienced heat wave conditions, while several other districts reported above-normal temperatures, RMC scientist Dr Praveen Kumar told PTI.
The prevailing above-normal and persistently high temperatures over Vidarbha can be attributed to an anticyclonic circulation over Maharashtra and adjoining areas. At the same time, hot and dry northwesterly winds have been continuously affecting the region, he said.
In addition, weak western disturbances and the absence of moisture incursion or any significant weather systems have contributed to the intensification of heat over the region, the official said.
As per the Met department, heat wave conditions are likely to continue at a few or isolated places over the region till Tuesday.
The IMD has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Akola, Amravati and Wardha and a ‘yellow’ alert for Nagpur, Chandrapur and Yavatmal for Tuesday, saying that the maximum temperatures are likely to reach 45 to 46 deg C and possibly up to 47 deg C at isolated locations.
A relief from the heat wave is expected thereafter and the mercury is likely to dip by 2 to 3 deg C, with the possibility of rainfall and gusty winds in the coming days, it added.
The IMD grades the severity of any weather system through colour-coded alerts – green (no warning), yellow (be aware), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Current Heatwave Scenario (Mid-May 2026)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow-to-orange alert across several Maharashtra districts, including Nagpur, Chandrapur, and nearby Vidarbha areas, which are consistently ranking among the hottest spots in the country.
Maharashtra Weather Update Today (14 May 2026): Heatwave Alert Issued for Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik; IMD Puts Several Districts Under Yellow Warning Maharashtra is really struggling with the heat as temperatures keep rising on May 14 2026. The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts for many places, including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. The coastal areas are dealing with a lot of humidity while the interior areas are experiencing high temperatures even crossing 43 degrees Celsius in some areas. The weather department is telling people to be careful not to stay in the sun for long and to drink a lot of water because the hot and dry weather is going to continue for a few days across Maharashtra.
IMD Issues Heatwave Warning Across Maharashtra
The India Meteorological Department is warning people about heatwave- conditions in many districts of Maharashtra because the temperatures are higher than usual. Many areas in Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada are going to face hot temperatures during the day along with dry weather.
The officials say that this weather pattern may continue for a days making people uncomfortable in both cities and villages.
Some districts, such as Pune, Nashik, Jalgaon, Jalna, Beed, Nanded, Akola, Amravati, Wardha and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are under alert because of the rising temperatures and heat stress.
Mumbai Struggles With Hot And Humid Conditions
Mumbai and the areas around it like Thane, Palghar and Raigad are going to have hot and humid weather for the whole week. Even though the temperatures in Mumbai may not be as high as in parts of Maharashtra the humidity is making people very uncomfortable. The meteorologists are warning that the combination of heat and moisture in the air can make it very hard to be especially in the afternoon. The health experts are telling people to limit their time stay indoors when the sun is strong and drink a lot of water to avoid getting sick from the heat.
Pune Records Temperatures Above 43 Degrees Celsius
Pune is one of the cities that is being affected the most by the heatwave. Some areas in Pune have recorded temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius making it one of the places in Maharashtra. Lohegaon has seen some of the temperatures this season.
The district administration is also telling companies to make sure their employees who work outside have a place to rest access to drinking water and are protected from dehydration as the heat gets worse.
Vidarbha. Marathwada Continue To Face Severe Heat
The Vidarbha region is still dealing with severe heat stress with districts like Akola, Amravati and Wardha expecting to have heatwave conditions for a few more days. The weather officials are also warning about warm nights, which means people will not get much relief even after the sun sets.
At the time parts of Marathwada are experiencing dry winds and very high temperatures making the heatwave even worse. The experts think that the lack of rain has caused the temperatures to rise much in the region.
Authorities Urge Residents To Take Precautions
The authorities and health experts are telling people to be careful during the heatwave. They are advising people not to go during the hottest part of the day wear light and comfortable clothes and drink a lot of water and other fluids that have electrolytes throughout the day.
The doctors are also warning that being in the heat for long can increase the risk of dehydration, dizziness and heatstroke especially for children, older people and those who work outside. People are being encouraged to check the weather forecast and follow the official advice until the weather gets better.
As Maharashtra continues to deal with high temperatures people are getting more and more concerned about their health and the illnesses caused by the heat. From the cities like Mumbai to the very hot interior areas like Pune and Vidarbha people are facing very difficult weather conditions with no relief in sight.
With the India Meteorological Department issuing alerts, in many districts the authorities are telling people to be careful and prioritize their safety during the heatwave. Maharashtra is going through a time and the heatwave is affecting Maharashtra very badly. The people of Maharashtra are struggling to cope with the heatwave and Maharashtra needs to take precautions to stay safe.
Today (May 18): Sunny and dry. Peak temperatures of \(43^{\circ }\text{C}\) to \(44^{\circ }\text{C}\) between 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM.
The Coming Week: Highs are expected to hover around \(44^{\circ }\text{C}\), with even hotter spikes possible by the end of the month.
Nighttime Discomfort: Night temperatures will stay high, only dropping to the low \(30^{\circ }\text{C}\) range, offering very little overnight cooling. City set to touch 44°C as heatwave returns
Raipur: Chhattisgarh is set for another spell of intense summer conditions from April 22, with the India Meteorological Department warning of rising temperatures, dry weather and warm night over the next few days despite a brief dip.
Heat Safety Guidelines
With the extreme UV index and heatwave conditions, taking proactive measures is essential to avoid heat exhaustion or heatstroke:
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water (even if not thirsty), coconut water, or electrolyte-rich drinks.
Limit Outdoor Activities: Avoid direct sun exposure, especially between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Dress Smartly: Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored cotton clothing. Protect your face with a hat or umbrella.
Monitor vulnerable groups: Ensure children, the elderly, and pets are kept cool and hydrated.
For ongoing and real-time weather updates in your specific area, you can track hourly alerts using the IMD Maharashtra portal or check your local daily readings on AccuWeather Nagpur.
