As a brutal heatwave swept across large parts of the country on Friday, 97 of the world’s 100 hottest cities were recorded in India, with temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius in several regions by the afternoon.
According to temperature data published by AQI.in at around 2:50 pm IST, the global list of the top 100 hottest cities was overwhelmingly dominated by Indian locations.
Balangir in Odisha emerged as the hottest city globally at 48°C, followed by Sasaram in Bihar at 48°C and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh at 47°C.
Humidity levels in several cities reportedly remained between six and eight per cent, placing conditions in the “extreme hot” category and intensifying heat stress.
The only non-Indian cities in the top-100 list were three locations in Nepal: Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj and Lumbini Sanskritik, where temperatures ranged between 45°C and 46°C.
Also read: Amritsar records highest heatstroke fatalities in 2024: NCRB data
Several Indian cities also recorded extreme temperatures, including Muzaffarnagar, Ayodhya, Patiala, Warangal and Haridwar, all touching 46°C.
Meanwhile, Sri Ganganagar, Gwalior, Dhanbad and Chandigarh recorded temperatures around 45°C.
The ongoing heatwave has also triggered health concerns. According to a Reuters report, Andhra Pradesh recorded 325 suspected heatstroke cases between March 1 and May 19, with nearly one-third reported since the beginning of May.
Authorities in several states have advised residents to avoid outdoor movement between 11 am and 4 pm as temperatures continue to soar.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast “heatwave to severe heatwave conditions” across Delhi and large parts of northern India from May 22 to May 27.
Hospitals in several states have reported rising cases of dehydration, diarrhoea and heat-related illnesses, while water shortages have also been reported from parts of Gujarat.
Follow us
