Gurgaon: Heatwave conditions intensified across Haryana on Monday, with Sirsa recording the season’s highest temperature in the state at 46.2°C. Several areas recorded a heat wave on Monday. A “heatwave” is declared when the maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and is at least 4.5 notches above the average temperature for a season. When the maximum temperature rises above 6.4 degrees Celsius above the average, IMD labels it as a “severe heatwave”.According to IMD, weather across Haryana is likely to remain dry over the next seven days and maximum temperatures are expected to rise gradually by another 2°C to 3°C during the period. The department issued a heatwave warning for isolated places in Haryana from May 18 till May 24.The forecast also said strong surface winds are likely at isolated places during the next seven days.IMD data showed the average maximum temperature across Haryana rose by 1.9°C on Monday compared to the previous day and remained 2.9°C above normal for this time of the year.Rohtak recorded 45.2°C, Hisar 44.4°C, Narnaul 44.3°C and Bhiwani 44°C. Gurgaon recorded a maximum temperature of 42°C, the highest maximum of the season on Monday.Several other stations across south Haryana and NCR remained above the 42°C mark, including Jhajjar at 42.8°C, Bawal in Rewari at 42.7°C, Mandkola in Mewat at 42.6°C and Mahendragarh AWS at 43.1°C.Night temperatures also remained elevated across parts of the state. Gurgaon recorded a minimum temperature of 23.5°C, while the NorthCap University AWS station recorded 27.2°C. Ambala recorded a minimum temperature of 28.7°C and Bhiwani 29°C. The lowest minimum temperature in Haryana was 21°C at Canal Rest House Saragthal in Sonipat district.As compared to Sunday, the average minimum temperature across Haryana rose by 0.7°C, though IMD said it remained near normal overall.The prevailing weather system includes a western disturbance in the form of a cyclonic circulation over north Iran and adjoining areas at around 5.8 km above mean sea level, IMD said. The department has also forecast the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala around May 26, with a model error margin of four days.Climate experts said the current spell reflects growing long-term heat vulnerability in Delhi-NCR.“The India Meteorological Department has forecast heatwave conditions across northwest and central India, with Delhi expected to experience temperatures of 43–45°C during 18–20 May. This reflects the growing heat risk in the national capital,” Vishwas Chitale, Fellow at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), said.According to CEEW’s district-level Heat Risk assessment, more than half of Delhi’s districts fall under the “very high risk to extreme heat” category. Chitale said districts such as North West Delhi and New Delhi have recorded around three to four additional very warm nights annually during 2012–2022 compared to the 1982–2011 baseline.“Rising warm nights are particularly concerning because they reduce the body’s ability to recover from daytime heat stress,” he said.Chitale said cities need to move beyond reactive responses and operationalise Heat Action Plans through measures such as heat-health early warning systems, cooling centres, water access and protection for outdoor workers. Long-term investments in cool roofs, urban greening, restoration of water bodies and heat-resilient infrastructure were also necessary, he added.He further said that since 2024, heatwaves have become eligible for financing under State Disaster Management Funds, creating an opportunity for states and cities to strengthen preparedness and mitigation measures scientifically.The IMD has advised people to avoid prolonged exposure to heat during afternoon hours, stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
