A severe heatwave sweeping across northern, central and eastern India pushed temperatures above 45°C in several cities
May 22, 2026: India witnessed an intense heatwave on Friday, with 97 of the world’s 100 hottest cities reportedly located in the country by the afternoon. According to AQI in data, Balangir recorded the highest temperature at 48°C, followed by Sasaram at 48°C and Varanasi at 47°C. Several cities experienced extremely low humidity levels between 6 and 8 per cent, worsening the impact of the heatwave.
Apart from three cities in Nepal, all locations in the global top-100 hottest cities list were from India. Cities such as Muzaffarnagar, Ayodhya, Patiala, Warangal, Haridwar, Gwalior, Chandigarh and Agra also recorded temperatures between 44°C and 46°C. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across Delhi and large parts of northern India until May 27.
The extreme weather has also triggered growing health concerns. More than 300 suspected heatstroke cases have reportedly been recorded in Andhra Pradesh between March and May, while hospitals in several states have seen rising cases of dehydration and diarrhoea. Authorities have advised people to avoid outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours as water shortages and medical emergencies continue to rise amid the scorching temperatures.