The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for Central India on Tuesday. The weather department said that heatwave conditions are set to persist across the region today, but will abate thereafter.
The IMD has also issued a list of safety tips to help people stay safe during these extreme weather conditions.
Here are the tips:
- Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty
2. Avoid stepping out during peak hours (12 PM – 4 PM)
3. Wear light, loose, and breathable clothing
4. Stay indoors or in shaded/cool places as much as possible
5. Eat hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables
6. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and heavy meals
7. Take extra care of children, the elderly, and pets
8. Watch out for symptoms: dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive sweating -seek medical help if needed.
Union govt urges states to be prepared
Amid the IMD warnings, the Union Health Secretary wrote to all State and UT Chief Secretaries to prepare for heatwaves and operationalise dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units at all health facilities.
The letter has also asked the states and UTs to ensure adequate ambulance services are made, early warnings are disseminated so that timely action can be taken, and that heat-stroke cases are reported in real time on the Ministry's IHIP portal.
According to the letter, the IMD has predicted above-normal heatwave days across several parts of the country from April to June 2026, along with its monthly forecast for April.
It further stated that regions in East, Central, and North-West India, along with the South-East Peninsula, are likely to experience more heatwave days.
Coastal areas of states like Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are expected to be severely affected by the heat wave. Also, similar conditions may be witnessed in isolated regions of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Tourism spikes in Shimla amid rising heatwave
As heatwaves sweep across India, hill stations are witnessing a surge in visitors, with tourists heading to the mountains to escape the rising temperatures.
Himachal Pradesh's capital, Shimla, has witnessed a tremendous surge in footfall over the past few days, according to news agency ANI, with locals expressing confidence in strong business in the coming days amid rising tourist inflow.
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, temperatures in northwest, central, and peninsular India are currently ranging between 40°C and 44°C; several regions have also reported a developing heat-stress scenario, with normal temperatures increasing by more than 5 °C above normal.
“As per the latest assessment, maximum temperatures in many parts of northwest, central and peninsular India are currently ranging between 40°C and 44 °C. In several regions, temperatures have been observed to be markedly above normal by 5°C or more, indicating a developing heat stress scenario across parts of the country,” the Ministry of Earth Sciences said.
