As of March 25, 2025, the IMD (Indian Metrological Department) issued a heatwave alert across the northern region of India. No one can imagine that the soaring temperature in March could be 40˚C. Making it feel like June’s Summers and raising the question: Is it the beginning? Moreover, this is not just Delhi’s condition because the temperature is increasing in the entire north India. If we look at last year’s records, the temperature reached 53˚C, the highest in Delhi and other north Indian cities in 2024. But now, every eye is on the north Indian region, which is going to witness the largest heatwave in history. Let us know the current temperature condition to understand the possible changes. Besides, also know what factors contributed to the March Heatwaves in North India.
High temperatures do not just cause sweating and dehydration because they can result in severe conditions too. Here learn how 2025 conditions are changing as just in March, the heatwave alerts have been issued.
The temperature rising and creating conditions like March Heatwaves in North India:
Every year, the temperature starts rising during the march in the entire north India. This year, too, temperatures increased, and till the end of the month, it changed in the heatwaves alert. As in New Delhi, the IMD predicted the highest temperature of March on the 25th and 26th of March. Let us know the temperature of different cities that are witnessing the March Heatwaves in North India:
| City | Day Temperature(max) | Night Temperature (max) |
| Delhi NCR | 38°C | 24°C |
| Chandigarh | 36°C | 18°C |
| Lucknow | ~33°C | ~22°C |
| Jaipur | ~38°C | ~21°C |
| Amritsar | ~37°C | ~17°C |
Note: These figures represent the forecasted temperatures for March 25, 2025, and are subject to slight variations as conditions evolve.
The temperature shows how 38˚C is near 40˚ resulting in the early heatwave conditions in north India. Understanding the chances of possible heatwave conditions in India lets us know the previous years’ records.
What does last year’s temperature record during summer?
In 2024, North India recorded severe heatwaves as the temperatures crossed the 50˚C in different parts. As Some parts of Delhi such as Mungeshpur and Najafgarh recorded 53˚C on May 30, 2024. Similarly, the other cities and areas recorded the highest temperature of the history in 2024. Here check the highest temperatures recorded in different areas of India in 2024.
1. Mungeshpur, Delhi: The highest temperature recorded in the capital in May 2024 as 53˚C with extreme heatwaves conditions in different areas.
2. Phalodi, Rajasthan: Recorded the highest temperature in May 2024 as 50.8°C creating severe heatwaves and drought-like conditions.
3. Churu, Rajasthan: Similarly, the temperature reached 50.3°C in May 2024 and created an extreme heat situation without any relief.
4. Nagpur, Maharashtra: Moreover, the city of Maharashtra also witnessed the same condition of heatwaves last year as temperatures recorded at 48.5°C.
5. Banda, Uttar Pradesh: Lastly, the highest temperature in May 2024 was recorded at 47.9°C in Banda, highlighting intense heat conditions.
As per the previous years’ records, the current situation of March heatwaves in North India suggests a more intense condition. Let us check the alerts and forecast for 2025 summers by the IMD (the Indian Meteorological Department).
What does IMD forecast for 2025 Summers?
On 24th March 2025, IMD issued a heatwave alert for North India. Previously, IMD has predicted that temperatures will continuously increase in March. For March to May, the IMD has forecasted the warmest summers in 2025 from March to May. They also predicted that this year’s temperature will break last year’s records. Now let us check what are the current weather trends.
Several factors are converging to create the current heatwave-like conditions:
Short winters and early heatwaves:
Different sets of Data indicate that winter is becoming shorter as only stays for 2 to 3 months. And North Indian cities seeing earlier comings of heatwaves and summer. As from February the temperature changes and results in early summer.
Global climate change:
The global warming condition in North India rising due to an increase in global temperature. This is affecting North India because of geographical and atmospheric conditions.
Less western distrubances:
Mostly, the cool western disturbance helps in the temperature during winter. However, this condition has declined, and less frequency and strength have resulted in heat spells.
Urbanization in city areas:
Rapid urbanization and changes in metropolitan areas like Delhi and Chandigarh increase heat retention. It makes the city even hotter than the rural areas.
Could This Be North India’s Largest Heatwave?
The current forecasts and weather conditions are highlighting the chances of India’s Largest Heatwave in 2025. Since March, heatwaves in North India have already made the early heatwave conditions. Moreover, the historical comparisons and several factors raise the possibility. Here are the observations from different studies and agencies:
The duration of heat waves is increasing every year as the normal temperature thresholds are exceeded.
The nighttime temperature also changes and remains high. It can reduce the natural cooling period that is necessary for human and ecological recovery for the fresh and cool morning.
What’s at Stake due to March heatwaves in North India?
March Heatwaves in North India not only create extreme heat conditions it come with different implications. Since it increases the drought-like conditions and has a high chance of affecting millions of health. Not just this, here are more different implications of early heatwaves in India:
Public health:
Severe heat periods can result in health issues such as heat strokes, deaths due to heat, and dehydration. However, vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and others have a high chance of facing heat-related problems.
High energy demand:
The higher temperatures in cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, etc demand the high usage of electricity as an increase of cooling systems for relief from heatwaves. It affects the power grids and also results in more heat generation.
Crops and Agriculture:
Heat waves for long periods can result in heat stress that affects the crop and results in crop losses. Particularly, the winter-sown crops have a high risk of facing this condition.
Stay updated with the continuous changes in the weather conditions and forecasts by the IMD. Protect yourself against the scorching heat waves this summer by staying hydrated, avoiding excessive sun exposure during peak hours and use natural cooling activities.
Conclusion:
The March Heatwaves in North India as with temperatures already high and predictions of a record-breaking summer ahead. Winters are getting shorter, and heat waves are arriving earlier each year due to climate change. Hence, this rising heat creates big problems for farming, water supply, and public health. Thus, to tackle these challenges, we need to take action now—reducing pollution, using cleaner energy, and preparing better for extreme weather.
