NEW DELHI: A severe heatwave has enveloped large parts of North India, particularly affecting Haryana and Delhi, where temperatures have soared to extreme levels.

Najafgarh in Delhi recorded the highest temperature across the country on Monday, hitting 47.4 degrees Celsius. The scorching heat has persisted, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in significant areas of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh. This intense heatwave has disrupted daily life, forcing many people indoors during the afternoon hours, according to a report..

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated, "Today (Monday), heatwave to severe heatwave conditions were observed in many places over Haryana and Delhi. Heatwave conditions were observed in some pockets over Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and isolated pockets of Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh."

Temperatures continued to climb in various parts of Delhi, surpassing 47 degrees Celsius. The weather office has issued a red alert for the next five days, warning of heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in the national capital.

Safdarjung, Delhi's base station, recorded its highest maximum temperature of 47.2 degrees Celsius on May 29, 1944—the highest for the weather station since records began in 1931. Near the international airport, the Palam station recorded a maximum temperature of 48.4 degrees Celsius on May 26, 1998, with records dating back to 1956.

In response to the extreme weather, several state governments, including Delhi and Punjab, have taken precautionary measures. Schools have been instructed to declare holidays for a few days, although online classes are being provided to ensure continued education.

The Delhi government, through a circular from the Directorate of Education, directed schools that had not yet closed for summer vacations to do so immediately. All schools have been instructed to observe summer vacation from May 11 to June 30 for the current academic year.

Similarly, the Punjab government has announced summer holidays in all government, aided, and private schools from May 21 to June 30 due to the severe heatwave conditions prevailing in the region.

The intense heat has also driven Delhi's peak power demand to its highest level for May. Real-time data from the State Load Dispatch Centre, Delhi, showed the peak power demand reaching 7,572 MW at 3:33 p.m. This surpasses the previous peak power demand recorded last year—7,438 MW on August 22.

In addition to Najafgarh, Ayanagar in Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 45.7 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal. The highest temperature recorded at Najafgarh previously was 47.4 degrees Celsius on May 28, 1988, the highest since 1967.

Heat wave conditions prevail in 20 places, mercury crosses 45

IMD Warns of Impending Heatwave Across Northern India