Heat wave in India. Temperatures reach 48°C even before El Niño

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is warning of a significant rise in temperatures in the coming days. The heat wave is expected to affect the northwestern and central parts of the country, becoming a real threat to public health. Additional concern surrounds the El Niño phenomenon, which could further deepen the crisis.

Will thermometers show 50°C again?

The statement issued by the IMD on 20 May does not directly link the current warming to the arrival of El Niño, but it recalls that in the past the warm phase of the ENSO oscillation clearly intensified heat waves in India. During the last episode in 2024, thermometers in the suburbs of New Delhi showed 52.3°C, but the result was questioned. To this day, it remains unclear whether it was caused by a sensor malfunction or unique local conditions.

India’s official temperature record was set in 2016, when 51°C was recorded in Rajasthan. There are many indications that this maximum could be exceeded in the coming days. On 18 May, 43.4°C was observed in Delhi, while villages around the capital recorded temperatures above 44°C, which is 3°C higher than the average for this period.

The IMD also received a report of a 50°C reading in an urbanized area of Ghaziabad near Delhi. The thermometer was placed on a hardened surface, but the measurement could not be verified. On Tuesday, 19 May, a temperature of 48.2°C was officially confirmed in the city of Banda in Uttar Pradesh. In many places, anomalies have already exceeded +5°C.

The coming heat wave will be dangerous

Indian meteorologists point out that the high temperatures are accompanied by hot and dry winds, which increase the risk of heat stress. In addition, residents of densely populated districts, which are widespread across the country, will experience significantly higher temperatures due to the urban heat island effect. The health impacts will primarily affect outdoor workers, young children, seniors, and people with chronic illnesses.

The IMD is urging people to stay hydrated and seek cool places and shade whenever possible. Social media has already seen messages describing the threat and calling for responsible behavior. Historical data confirms that the risk is serious. According to the Indian National Disaster Management Authority, heat waves caused the deaths of more than 17,000 people between 2000 and 2020.

Concrete-covered Indian cities are becoming incubators of heat

As early as last month, the Air Quality Index platform reported that the world’s 50 hottest cities are located in India. However, the assessment of heat was based not only on temperature, but also on the intensity of sunlight, rainfall and humidity levels, as well as wind strength.

Experts emphasize that India’s residents are threatened not only by the climate itself, but also by the concrete infrastructure of major cities, which amplifies the effects of heat waves. Built-up metropolises lacking green areas and water spaces have lost their ability to cool down at night. Mitashi Singh of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) added that the situation is worsened by the widespread use of construction materials that easily transmit heat, such as metal sheets and galvanized iron roof structures.

The only rescue for Indian cities in the face of the approaching El Niño appears to be the restoration of greenery in urban areas, the introduction of permeable surfaces, and the removal of unnecessary concrete and asphalt surfaces.