A crippling heatwave has swept across northern India, pushing temperatures in the capital city of New Delhi to a sweltering 45°C and prompting official warnings for residents to remain indoors to avoid heat-related health risks.
The British Broadcasting Corporation’s South Asia correspondent Sumedha Pal reported from the streets of Delhi on Thursday, describing the oppressive conditions that make even short periods of outdoor activity physically taxing. Pal noted that standing exposed to the unrelenting sun for just a few minutes leaves people drenched in sweat, with dry, scorching winds amplifying the discomfort and raising the risk of heat exhaustion or stroke for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.
India routinely faces severe heat events each summer, but rising global average temperatures have made recent heatwaves more intense, longer-lasting, and more dangerous than historical averages. Public health officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, avoiding unnecessary outdoor travel during peak heat hours between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and seeking immediate medical attention for symptoms such as dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or high body temperature. Local authorities have also opened public cooling centers in many neighborhoods to provide relief for unhoused populations and low-income families without access to home air conditioning.