India’s heatwave tightened its grip on large parts of north and central India on Saturday, with Uttar Pradesh’s Banda emerging as the hottest city in the country at 47.4 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for 10 states over the next two days, while authorities in several regions have shut schools, revised schedules and urged people to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours.

Heatwave alert remained in focus across north and central India as Banda recorded 47.4°C, schools shut in parts of Madhya Pradesh, and weather agencies warned of severe heat stress in multiple states.

Banda Tops Chart

Banda in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest maximum temperature in the country on Saturday at 47.4°C, underscoring the severity of the ongoing heatwave alert. Other cities in the state also saw extreme temperatures, with Prayagraj at 45.5°C, Varanasi at 45°C and Jhansi at 44.8°C.

Officials advised residents to avoid stepping out between noon and 3 pm, when solar exposure remains at its peak. The advisory forms part of wider Government Updates issued in response to the intensifying heat conditions.

Ten States On Alert

The IMD has warned of heatwave conditions across several states on April 27 and 28, covering parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand.

Warm night conditions are also likely in parts of Delhi, Haryana, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, raising health concerns as night-time temperatures remain unusually high. According to officials, persistently hot nights reduce the body’s ability to recover from daytime heat stress.

Schools Take Precautions

State administrations have begun local interventions as temperatures continue to climb. In Madhya Pradesh, authorities ordered the closure of anganwadi centres and all schools up to Class 8 in Indore and Gwalior from April 27 to 30.

In Bihar’s Khagaria district, a government school distributed umbrellas to students to shield them from direct sun exposure. The move reflects the growing urgency of heat-related precautions in a Public Interest Story that has now affected education and daily routines.

Power Demand Surges

The impact of the heatwave alert has extended beyond public health, pushing electricity demand to record levels. India’s peak power demand rose to 252.07 gigawatts, the highest ever recorded in the country.

The previous record of 250 GW was set in May 2024. Officials said the surge was driven by heavy use of cooling appliances, agricultural demand and rising urban consumption, adding fresh pressure on the power grid.

Rain Brings Relief

Even as much of India battled extreme heat, some regions saw brief weather relief. Parts of Rajasthan, including Bikaner, Sikar, Sawai Madhopur and Barmer, received rain on Saturday. Rajsamand also reported hail.

In Bihar, rain was recorded in Supaul, Kishanganj and Madhubani. While the showers offered temporary respite, weather officials indicated they were localised and unlikely to significantly alter the broader heat pattern.

IMD Issues Advisory

The IMD has asked people to avoid direct sun exposure during afternoon hours, drink sufficient water, wear light cotton clothing and take extra care of children and the elderly.

The weather office also warned of hot and humid conditions in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where heat stress may intensify despite temperatures staying below peak north Indian levels.

Monsoon Concerns Rise

The heatwave alert has also revived concerns over the upcoming monsoon. The World Weather Organization has revised its forecast and said El Niño conditions may begin developing as early as May.

That shift could weaken monsoon performance and affect rainfall distribution in the months ahead. Earlier, the IMD had already indicated that rainfall this season may remain below normal.