Residents of Delhi languished in record heat on Monday with the national capital registering a blistering maximum temperature of 46.1 degrees Celsius, the hottest day of the season so far.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has noted that it will likely be another heatwave lasting for several days, with the impact on public health, water scarcity, and power consumption alarming. Some places in the city have seen blazing high afternoon temperatures, with roads seeming deserted as people hunkered down indoors to escape the searing heat.
According to reports, Najafgarh, Mungeshpur and Pitampura have recorded temperatures above the city average, while “feels like” temperatures exceeded dangerous levels under hot winds and arid weather.
People should, according to the IMD, avoid direct sunlight at peak afternoon hours, remain hydrated, and take precautions against heatstroke; an orange notice has been issued for Delhi and neighbouring areas. It's been reported that there’s been an increase in dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, and heat exhaustion cases in the capital hospitals.
Delhi: IMD has issued a Yellow alert for Delhi, warning of heatwave conditions as temperatures are expected to remain above normal. Residents have been advised to avoid direct sunlight, stay hydrated, and take precautions during peak afternoon hours
— IANS (@ians_india) May 19, 2026
(Visuals from the India Gate,… pic.twitter.com/yhji1IskRV
Soaring temperatures have also driven electricity demand to record highs as households and businesses depend on air conditioning and cooling systems. Water use, as well, has been rising all over the city, so the authorities are now watching supply closely. The extreme heat was linked to dry northwesterly winds and clear skies that are still raising daytime temperatures throughout north India, meteorologists said.
Relief is probably not forthcoming at the moment, but isolated dust storms or light showers would only bring brief relief later this week. The relentless heatwave has underscored yet again the rising threat of higher temperatures and climate-related weather extremes in populous cities like Delhi, where the long-term heat is increasingly troubling daily life in the summer months.
