An intense heatwave continues to grip India, with temperatures near the 45 degrees Celsius mark in the national capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for northwest and central India.
The heatwave is being intensified by a combination of persistent dry weather, delayed western disturbances, and a long-term rise in average temperatures.
According to IMD officials, the absence of strong weather systems that typically bring cloud cover, rainfall, or thunderstorms during the pre-monsoon period is a key reason behind the ongoing heatwave.
Northwest and central India naturally experience extreme heat during late April and May due to intense solar radiation, dry continental winds, and low soil moisture.
However, this year's prolonged dry spell has prevented any meaningful cooling, leading to unusually high nighttime temperatures.
Weather experts say the elevated nighttime temperatures are being driven by a mix of regional weather conditions and long-term warming trends.
India has witnessed a steady rise in average temperatures over recent decades, with the country's average temperature rising by around 0.7 degrees Celsius between 1901 and 2018.
Climate scientists have warned that global warming is increasing the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves across South Asia.
The IMD has predicted large-scale heatwaves across northwest and central India, with an orange alert remaining active for large parts of the region.
