Extreme Heatwave Warning By IMD, Yellow Alert Issued; Top 25 Hottest Cities On April 22; Humid Air Vs Heatwave

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued severe heatwave warnings in major cities on April 22, 2026. The intensity of heat is likely to continue till April 25. States like Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are expected to be the most vulnerable. Meanwhile cities that could be impacted are Raipur, Agra, Delhi, Patna, Lucknow, Meerut and Bhopal among others. The IMD has warned citizens to be cautious as the severe heatwave could be risky for health. But did you know that humid air is believed to be more risky than heat waves in India?

IMD Warning Today:

In its latest notification, IMD said that Heat wave conditions over Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are expected to persist for the next 3 days. The intense heat is also likely to gradually spread towards East India and adjoining parts of Central India during this period.

Furthermore, heatwave conditions are likely in isolated pockets of Haryana Chandigarh & Delhi, Punjab during 21st -24th, East Uttar Pradesh during 21st -25th, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Uttar Pradesh during 22nd -25th, Odisha,
Rajasthan during 23rd -25th, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar on 21st & 22nd, Vidarbha during 24th - 26th April.

It has also warned about hot and humid weather conditions in isolated pockets over Gangetic West Bengal during 21st-26th; Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam during 21st -25th, Konkan & Goa on 23rd & 24th, Coastal areas of Gujarat state on 24th & 25th Kerala & Mahe during 21st -24th, April.

Additionally, warm night conditions very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi during 21st - 24th, Chhattisgarh on 21st & 22nd, Odisha during 23rd - 25th , Chhattisgarh on 20th & 21th; and Odisha during 23th25th April.

The maximum temperature is predicted to range from 40 degree Celsius to 45 degree Celsius in most states. The highest rise in temperature is predicted in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

IMD Yellow Alert State-Wise:

IMD has issued yellow alert in several states. These are:

Heatwave Yellow Alerts:

- Delhi

- Punjab

- Haryana

- Uttar Pradesh

- Madhya Pradesh

- Bihar

- Gangetic West Bengal

- Chhattisgarh

- Odisha

Rainfall Yellow Alert Issued:

Meanwhile, some states are chalked as yellow due to rainfall warnings. These are:

- Assam

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Tamil Nadu

Top Hottest Cities In India On April 22:

As per the AQI data, among top 25 hottest cities in the world, a total of 23 Indian cities dominates the ranking. Here is the list.

Rank	🌍 City	🌡️ Temp	🔥 Status	☁️ Condition
1	🇮🇳 Balangir, Odisha	43°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
2	🇮🇳 Bhagalpur, Bihar	43°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
3	🇮🇳 Talcher, Odisha	43°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
4	🇹🇭 Tak, Thailand	43°C	Extreme Hot	⛅ Partly Cloudy
5	🇮🇳 Munger, Bihar	43°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
6	🇮🇳 Bhojpur, Bihar	43°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
7	🇮🇳 Begusarai, Bihar	43°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
8	🇮🇳 Rajmahal, West Bengal	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
9	🇮🇳 Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
10	🇮🇳 Sasaram, Bihar	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
11	🇮🇳 Raurkela, Odisha	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
12	🇮🇳 Birbhum, West Bengal	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
13	🇳🇵 Lumbini Sanskritik, Nepal	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
14	🇮🇳 Barddhaman, West Bengal	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
15	🇮🇳 Darbhanga, Bihar	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
16	🇮🇳 Masanganj, Chhattisgarh	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
17	🇮🇳 Buxar, Bihar	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
18	🇮🇳 Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
19	🇮🇳 Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
20	🇮🇳 Mughalsarai (UP)	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
21	🇮🇳 Ghazipur, UP	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
22	🇮🇳 Katihar, Bihar	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
23	🇮🇳 Varanasi, UP	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
24	🇮🇳 Saharsa, Bihar	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny
25	🇮🇳 Mirzapur, UP	42°C	Extreme Hot	☀️ Sunny

But amidst heatwave conditions, the air in India is also intensified in humidity. Both are seen as dangerous.

Humid Air Vs Heatwave:

Dr. Kirthiga Murugesan, Senior at TN State Disaster Management through her X handler, highlighted that both humid air and heatwave are dangerous.

She explained that dry heat bakes you; humid heat traps body heat. Equal risk of heatstroke, especially for kids, elderly & outdoor workers.

Delhi Weather Today

April 22 Weather Alert Today

IMD believes that the skies will be mainly clear. Heat wave conditions at isolated places. Strong surface wind speed 20-30 kmph during the day. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 41°C to 43°C and 21°C to 23°C respectively. The minimum temperature will be above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C) at most places, and maximum temperatures will be appreciably above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C) at most places over Delhi. The predominant surface wind is likely to be from northwest direction with surface wind speed reaching up to 15 kmph during the morning hours. The wind speed will increase becoming less than 20 kmph from northwest direction during the afternoon. The wind speed will decrease up to 15 kmph from the northwest direction during evening and night.

April 23 Weather Alert:

On this day, IMD expects clear sky, with heat wave conditions at isolated places. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 42°C to 44°C and 22°C to 24°C respectively. The minimum temperature will be above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C) at most places, and the maximum temperature will be markedly above normal (5.1°C to more) at isolated places with appreciably above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C) at most places over Delhi. The predominant surface wind is likely to be from the northwest direction with wind reaching up to 15 kmph during the morning hours. The surface wind speed will be increase becoming up to 20 kmph from west direction during the afternoon. The wind speed will decrease becoming up to 15kmph from the west direction during evening and night.

April 24 Weather Alert:

Furthermore, IMD also sees clear sky on April 24, with heatwave conditions at isolated places. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 42°C to 44°C and 23°C to 25°C respectively. The minimum temperature will be above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C) at most places, and the maximum temperature will be markedly above normal (5.1°C to more) at isolated places with appreciably above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C) at most places over Delhi. The predominant surface wind is likely to be from the west direction with wind reaching up to 10 kmph during the morning hours. The surface wind speed will be increase becoming up to 15 kmph from west direction during the afternoon. The surface wind speed will decrease becoming less than 10 kmph from the west direction during evening and night.

Heatwave Advisory:

Although heatwave conditions are expected to be severe, the temperature is predicted to be above normal. IMD said, "There may be moderate health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses."

Hence, it advised that avoid prolonged exposure to heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose cotton clothing. Cover your head using a cloth, hat, or umbrella when outdoors.