Nine cities in Uttar Pradesh and one in West Bengal dominated India's hottest cities list on Monday, with all 10 recording temperatures of 46°C and classified as "Extreme Hot" on the AQI Live Weather Ranking.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that heatwave conditions would persist across northwest and central India for the next three days.
Banda in Uttar Pradesh topped the list, with Bindki, Auraiya, Fatehpur, Etawah, Moradabad, Kripalu Dham Mangarh, Unchahar, and Prayagraj all recording identical 46°C readings.
Bankura in West Bengal was the sole non-UP entry in the top 10, also at 46°C — a striking data point given that the state is expected to receive thunderstorms and rain through May 2.
IMD data confirmed that the highest maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was 47.4°C at Banda in Uttar Pradesh — consistent with the city's position atop the rankings and suggesting the mercury has been relentlessly high across the Bundelkhand region for several days.
What IMD Said
The IMD's Sunday alert warned that heatwave conditions are likely to persist over isolated to scattered pockets of northwest and central India during the next three days.
Heat wave to severe heatwave conditions prevailed in isolated pockets over East Uttar Pradesh, while heatwave conditions were reported at a few places over Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Severe warm night conditions were also reported in isolated pockets over West Uttar Pradesh, meaning there is no overnight respite for residents.
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The heat is being driven by a combination of factors. Strong pre-monsoon solar heating is rapidly warming land surfaces, cloudless skies are allowing prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and reduced winter snowfall across the Himalayas has contributed to higher temperatures by reducing natural cooling effects.
The presence of Bankura, West Bengal on the list underscores a worrying trend for eastern India. South Bengal's heat has been soaring, with Panagarh in West Bardhaman recording 43.8°C — seven degrees above the seasonal average.
While Kolkata recorded a relatively lower temperature of 35.6°C, high humidity levels are causing the "felt" temperature to be several degrees higher — pushing wet-bulb readings into dangerous territory even where the thermometer reading alone appears more moderate.
Health authorities have urged residents in affected regions to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours between noon and 3 PM, stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, and watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
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Outdoor workers, the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing conditions face the highest risk.
Officials have warned about unusually warm nighttime temperatures in Delhi, Haryana, Odisha, and Konkan — which may increase health risks by limiting the body's ability to recover from prolonged daytime heat exposure.
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