48 Degrees In Rajasthan, Delhi Under 'Red Alert': North India Reels Under Brutal Heatwave

The IMD also said the southwest monsoon, which has stalled near Maharashtra's coast since May 26–27, is expected to revive in the next two to three days. 

Sparse public presence on the Kartavya Path on a hot summer day, in New Delhi.

Source : PTI

A brutal heatwave has swept northwest and central India on Wednesday, with temperatures climbing to 48 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar, the highest in the country. 

New Delhi saw scorching heat as the heat index, a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is factored in, touched an alarming 51.9 degrees Celsius. 

The temperatures in the national capital ranged from 40.9 to 45.0 degree Celsius across various weather stations. 

Here are all the weather updates:

- According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the extreme heat is expected to persist until June 13. After that, light to moderate rainfall may bring some relief to parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. 

- The IMD also said the southwest monsoon, which has stalled near Maharashtra's coast since May 26–27, is expected to revive in the next two to three days. 

- India experienced a cooler-than-usual May because the monsoon arrived early and moved quickly in the first few days, along with frequent thunderstorms in the northwest and central parts of the country. 

- However, the lack of rainfall since early June has caused temperatures to rise rapidly, triggering heatwave conditions across large parts of northwest and central India since June 8-9. 

Heat Wave conditions reported at few places with isolated severe heat wave over West Rajasthan.

Also heat wave conditions reported at few places over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and isolated places over East Rajasthan, South Uttar Pradesh… pic.twitter.com/oixQ5HROXu

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 11, 2025

- Official data shows that at least 22 locations in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh recorded maximum temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius or more on Wednesday. 

- Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan recorded the highest temperature at a blistering 48.0 degrees Celsius, 6.5 degrees Celsius above normal. 

- Meanwhile, other parts of Rajasthan such as Chittorgarh (45.7 degrees Celsius), Churu and Phalodi (45.8 degrees Celsius each) and Jaipur (44.4 degrees Celsius) also reported extreme heat. 

- In Uttar Pradesh, Agra recorded 45.4 degrees Celsius and Orai 45.2 degrees Celsius. Rohtak in Haryana touched 46.2 degrees Celsius and Hisar reached 44.3 degrees Celsius. 

- Even parts of the hill states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir have been experiencing hotter-than-usual temperatures over the past few days. 

- A red warning, which means urgent action is needed, has been issued for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Rajasthan for June 12 and 13. 

- An orange warning has also been brought into effect for Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. 

- Experts have warned that outdoor workers, the elderly and children are most at risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Last year, hospitals in India reported around 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths caused by extreme heat. 

- Between 2015 and 2022, 8,171 people died due to extreme heat outside hospitals, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau. Health Ministry data further showed that 3,812 heat-related deaths were recorded in hospitals during this period.