Intense Heatwave Sweeps India; Delhi Records 46.3°C.

Intense Heatwave Sweeps India; Delhi Records 46.3°C.

India is in the grip of one of the most severe heatwaves in memory, with Delhi reaching an atrocious 46.3°C (115.3°F) on June 13, 2025. The constant heat has taken its toll on residents, infrastructure and emergency services in the city with temperatures reaching well-above the normal levels for this month.

Hell Is Near Extreme Heatwave: A National Crisis

Delhi is not the only place with the killer heatwave with much of northern and central India is in its grips. 78 With the current high humidity, the heat feels even worse. The high temperatures were combined with high levels of pollution have made it very unhealthy to live in, especially for marginalized groups like the elderly, children, and people who are already vulnerable.

Effect on Delhi And NCR

Insufferable Heat: Delhi’s temperature hit a sizzling 46.3°C on June 13, one of the hottest days of the year. This is quite a jump from the normal daily temperature of 40-42°C at this time of the year.

Health Risks: Prolonged exposure to heat of this magnitude carries with it a number of health risks. People are dehydrated, overheated, heat stroked, with health officials advising the public to remain indoors during the hottest parts of the day and avoid exertion.

PUBLIC TRANSIT AND INFRASTRUCTURE: The city’s transit is feeling the crunch. Metro stations and buses are crammed with people looking for escape from the heat. Offices and commercial buildings are fielding surge requests to bring the air conditioning back on, and public spaces have been turned into cooling centers.

Environmental Impact

Water Shortages: The heat has worsened water shortages in parts of Delhi. Groundwater levels have dropped and rivers and lakes have run dry, leaving residents with only intermittent access to clean water.

Farmers in northern and central India are reeling from a crippling drought caused by ongoing heat that is threatening crop outputs and incomes. As the rains failed to arrive and temperatures climbed, farmers feared a bad harvest.

Government and The Public’s Response

Relief Measures: Both the Indian government as well as local government in Delhi have taken a number of measures to shield the public from the cold. Relief centers have also been established throughout the city, offering water and other essentials to those who are in need.

Awareness Campaigns: Aiming at, particularly, the aged and children, tv, radios and social media are being used to send out messages informing residents to take measures like consuming plenty of water, dressing light clothing and remaining indoors during the warmest period of the day.

Cooling Centers: Local officials are opening temporary cooling stations, where people can rest and rehydrate. Portable cooling units have been sent to some parts of the city to provide temporary relief.

Up Next: More Heatwaves to Come

Forecasters have warned the heatwave may last a few more days. High temperatures are forecast to last for at least a week, and there is concern that repeated exposure to extreme heat could produce a surge in heat-related illnesses and deaths.

In addition, there are concerns that this heatwave may be a harbinger of an increasing number and intensity of extreme weather events in the years to come. But with global temperatures climbing on account of climate change, parts of India and elsewhere can expect even deadlier and longer-lasting heatwaves.