Overview
- The India Meteorological Department has extended heatwave warnings through at least May 27 and upgraded colour-coded alerts for large parts of northwest and central India.
- Multiple weather stations reported extreme highs on May 21 with Banda, Uttar Pradesh near 48°C and Delhi forecasts showing daytime peaks near 46–47°C.
- Delhi hospitals have started admitting heat-related patients, including confirmed heatstroke cases at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and clinics report rising heat-exhaustion visits.
- Officials cite clear skies, hot dry northwesterly winds, an anticyclone aloft and emerging El Niño conditions as drivers that are also keeping night temperatures unusually high and reducing overnight relief.
- The IMD projects the southwest monsoon to reach Kerala around May 26 (±4 days), which may begin easing heat in the south first while inland and northern cooling is likely to lag for days to weeks.