Heatwave Alert Live Updates: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for several states in north India due to the ongoing heatwave and soaring temperatures. Forecasts indicate that maximum temperatures in these regions could reach up to 48 degrees Celsius this week. The red alert has been issued for cities in northern India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh. Severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist over these states for the next five days. 

On the other hand, a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, reaching the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal by Sunday evening, the IMD announced on Thursday. This will be the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal for this pre-monsoon season and will be named Remal, following the cyclone naming system in the Indian Ocean region.

Stay tuned with Financial Express for latest news updates on IMD weather forecast and heatwave in north Indian states! 

Live Updates

Weather Update: Check latest updates on IMD weather forecasts and heatwave conditions here!

19:41 (IST) 23 May 2024
Orange alert in these states

the India Meteorology Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert in the following states considering the rising temperature in recent days:

  • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Nagaland
  • Manipur
  • Mizoram
  • Tripura
  • Assam
  • Meghalaya
  • Odisha
  • Gangetic West Bengal
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Puducherry & Karaikal
  • An orange alert is issued when extremely severe weather is expected, potentially disrupting transport, including rail, road, and air, as well as power supplies.

    19:06 (IST) 23 May 2024
    IMD red alert in 5 states

    The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heatwaves today in five states: Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

    18:33 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Official helpline number

    The Public Health Engineering Department has set up a control room to address drinking water issues, with a helpline at 0141-2222585 for complaints. Following Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's orders, efforts are also being made to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply. Power complaints can be lodged via the BijliMitra app.

    18:00 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Cyclonic storms to hit West Bengal and Bangladesh

    As per IMD predictions, West Bengal and Bangladesh are most likely to be hit by cyclonic storms on the evening of May 26.

    17:29 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Delhi suffers in heatwaves: Peak power supply and low Yamuna water level

    Delhi's power demand hit a record 8,000 megawatts as air conditioners and refrigerators ran non-stop. Water levels in the Yamuna River dropped significantly due to the heat, causing water shortages and supply disruptions across the city.

    16:57 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Rainfall alert in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal

    IMD has reported the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.5-204.5 mm) on 23rd May 2024 in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal

    16:33 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Energy Minister of Rajasthan is purchasing electricity

    Rajasthan's Energy Minister, Hiralal Nagar, stated, "We are continuously monitoring the situation. To meet the demand, we are purchasing electricity from other states. In the coming days, we will reopen our power plant, which has a capacity of generating 1500 MW."

    15:24 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Cyclone Remal update

    According to the IMD, the cyclone could reach a wind speed of 102 kilometres per hour on Sunday. The Met office has warned of very heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal, north Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura and south Manipur on May 26-27.

    15:24 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Cyclone Remal to reach West Bengal coast by Sunday evening

    A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, reaching the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal by Sunday evening, the IMD announced on Thursday. This will be the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal for this pre-monsoon season and will be named Remal, following the cyclone naming system in the Indian Ocean region.

    14:01 (IST) 23 May 2024
    IMD issues latest severe heatwave warning

    Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions likely in many parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi and heatwave conditions likely in isolated pockets of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat, Saurashtra & Kutch on 25th May, 2024.

    13:49 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Warm night, hot and humid weather
  • Hot and humid weather expected in Assam from 22nd to 24th and in Konkan & Goa on 22nd May 2024.
  • Warm night conditions likely over West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan from 22nd to 26th and Punjab & Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi from 22nd to 25th May 2024.
  • 12:32 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Severe heatwave conditions

    Severe heat wave conditions forecasted in most parts of West Rajasthan; many/some pockets in Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, East Rajasthan, and West Uttar Pradesh from 22nd to 26th; isolated pockets of northwest Madhya Pradesh & Delhi from 24th to 26th May 2024.

    12:13 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Heatwave conditions for next five days

    Heat wave conditions expected in isolated pockets of Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and northeast Madhya Pradesh from 22nd to 26th. West Madhya Pradesh and Delhi will experience it on 22nd & 23rd; Vidarbha from 23rd to 26th; East Uttar Pradesh from 24th to 26th, and north Madhya Maharashtra from 22nd to 25th May 2024.

    11:49 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Heavy rainfall in Kerala

    11:48 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Rain wreaks havoc in Kerala, at least 4 dead

    Torrential rains in Kerala over the past few days have resulted in at least four fatalities, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert across several districts. The affected districts include Ernakulam, Thrissur, Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. With heavy rainfall expected to continue, the weather department has also issued a yellow alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kannur, and Kasargod districts.

    11:47 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Rise in temperature
  • Gradual rise by about 2-3°C in maximum temperatures very likely over many parts of Central India and Maharashtra during next 5 days.
  • No significant change in maximum temperatures very likely over Northwest India during next 24 hours and gradual rise by 3-4°C thereafter.
  • No significant change in maximum temperatures very likely over rest parts of the country
  • 10:56 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Rajasthan’s Barmer hottest at 48 deg C

    On Wednesday, Rajasthan continued to suffer from severe heat conditions, with Barmer registering the highest temperature at 48 degrees Celsius. Throughout the day, other areas also experienced scorching temperatures, with Phalodi reaching 47.8 degrees, Fatehpur (Sikar) at 47.6 degrees, Churu at 47.5 degrees, and Jalore, Jaisalmer, and Vanasthali (Tonk) all reaching 47.2 degrees Celsius. Similarly, Pilani recorded 46.8 degrees Celsius, while Ganganagar recorded 46.7 degrees Celsius.

    10:38 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Control room set up amid severe heatwave conditions

    The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has established a control room to address all drinking water-related issues. Complaints can be registered via the helpline number 0141-2222585. This initiative follows the directive from Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who instructed PHED and Power Distribution Corporations to ensure uninterrupted power supply and regular drinking water. Additionally, power complaints can be lodged through the BijliMitra app.

    10:19 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Delhi on red alert from tomorrow till May 27

    In the seven-day forecast, IMD issued a red alert from May 24 to May 27. IMD's advisory to Delhi residents states, “Avoid heat exposure– keep cool. Avoid dehydration. Drink sufficient water- even if not thirsty. Use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, buttermilk, etc. to keep yourself hydrated."

    10:15 (IST) 23 May 2024
    Heatwave to continue in Rajasthan for next 4-5 days

    In its most recent forecast, the Regional Meteorological Department of Rajasthan has issued red and orange alerts for several districts due to the intense and blistering heatwave. Following temperatures surpassing 46 degrees Celsius, the department has indicated the likelihood of daytime temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius and higher in various parts of Rajasthan.

    09:55 (IST) 23 May 2024
    IMD sounds red alert in five districts of Kerala

    IMD has issued a red alert for five districts likely to receive heavy rainfall. The red alert was issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki. According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), four deaths have been reported across the state in various rain-related incidents. Initially, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were under an orange alert, but the IMD later upgraded it, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas.