Heatwave relief at last? Here’s when North India gets relief, says IMD

India’s northern states are set to experience a sharp drop in temperatures this week, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday. The weather bureau has also said that the southwest monsoon is likely to cover central parts of the country in the coming days.

The forecast follows an extended period of extreme heat across the region. On Tuesday, June 11, Delhi recorded its highest temperature of the season at 43.8°C — 3.6 degrees above normal, with the heat index exacerbated by high humidity levels.

The IMD had earlier predicted that heatwave conditions would persist through midweek, with temperatures approaching 45°C.

Meteorologists attributed the worsening conditions to the weakening of recent western disturbances. With monsoonal winds still absent over northwest India, the remaining trapped moisture has made the heat not only intense but also oppressively humid.

Rajasthan has been particularly affected, with Ganganagar registering temperatures above 47°C for two consecutive days. The IMD issued a red alert for western Rajasthan on June 11 and 12, followed by an orange alert for June 13. Eastern districts are under a yellow alert.

The heatwave has also expanded beyond Delhi and Rajasthan. In Punjab’s Ludhiana, temperatures have hovered around 44°C, prompting a yellow alert through Thursday. Himachal Pradesh, usually a cooler retreat, has seen unusually high temperatures. Una reported 44.2°C, while hill stations like Shimla and Manali are experiencing warmer-than-normal weather.