Heatwave Alert: Which Were The Hottest Cities In India On May 21?

India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday released the list of hottest Indian cities that recorded maximum temperatures on May 21.

India is witnessing extended spells of hot and humid weather with IMD issuing a warning on Wednesday of an impending severe heatwave across several states in North India, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

According to IMD's weather forecast, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will prevail in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and until May 25. Additionally, many places in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Jammu and parts of Madhya Pradesh will also witness heatwave conditions until May 25. Many parts of Maharashtra will face similar conditions until May 24.

• Sirsa in Haryana: 47.8 degrees Celsius

• Pilani in Rajasthan: 47.2 degrees Celsius

• Bhatinda in Punjab: 46.6 degrees Celsius

• Agra in Uttar Pradesh: 46.6 degrees Celsius

• Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh: 45.6 degrees Celsius

• Surendranagar in Gujarat: 45.4 degrees Celsius

• Akola in Maharashtra: 44 degrees Celsius

• Durg in Chhattisgarh: 43.6 degrees Celsius

• Una in Himachal Pradesh: 42.4 degrees Celsius

• Nuapada in Odisha: 42.2 degrees Celsius

The India Meteorological Department said a confluence of weather patterns was driving up temperatures in India's northwest region. IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy mentioned that the department was predicting 7-10 heatwave days in northwestern regions this month, compared to the usual 2-3 days.

This phenomenon was largely due to fewer non-monsoon thundershowers and an active but weakening El Nino, she said, referring to a climate pattern that typically leads to hot and dry weather in Asia and heavier rains in parts of the Americas. Warm, westerly winds blowing in from Pakistan also contributed to the heat, she said.