Barmer hits 45.4°C as IMD issues yellow alert in 19 Rajasthan districts
Synopsis
Rajasthan is baking — and the nights offer no relief. With Barmer at 45.4°C and Hanumangarh's nights hitting 33.2°C, the IMD's yellow alert for 19 districts underscores a heatwave that is both widening geographically and deepening in intensity, with temperatures forecast to climb further over the next four days.
Key Takeaways
Barmer recorded Rajasthan's highest maximum temperature at 45.4°C on 18 May .
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for 19 districts for Monday and Tuesday , with maximums likely between 42°C and 45°C .
Hanumangarh logged the state's hottest night at a minimum of 33.2°C , compounding heat stress.
Jodhpur's maximum of 43.8°C is 2.3°C above normal ; its minimum of 31.1°C is about 3°C above seasonal averages .
Jaipur temperatures are forecast to rise a further 1–2°C over the next 3–4 days .
Residents have been advised to avoid sun exposure between 11 am and 4 pm and stay hydrated.
A severe heatwave tightened its grip on Rajasthan on 18 May, with both daytime and nighttime temperatures climbing sharply across several districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for 19 districts for Monday and Tuesday, cautioning that maximum temperatures in many areas are likely to stay between 42°C and 45°C.
Peak Temperatures Recorded
Barmer logged the state's highest maximum temperature at 45.4°C, making it the hottest recorded location in Rajasthan on Sunday. Close behind were Bikaner at 45°C, Jaisalmer at 44.9°C, Phalodi at 44.8°C, and Chittorgarh at 44.6°C.
Kota and Vanasthali (Tonk) both recorded 44.2°C, while Sri Ganganagar reached 44.1°C, Jodhpur touched 43.8°C — nearly 2.3 degrees above normal — and Churu settled at 43.6°C. Sirohi recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at 22.6°C.
Scorching Nights Add to Distress
The heatwave has extended well into the night, compounding public discomfort by eliminating the usual nocturnal respite. Hanumangarh recorded the hottest night in the state with a minimum temperature of 33.2°C. Other notable nighttime readings included Chittorgarh at 32.6°C, Phalodi at 32.2°C, Barmer at 32°C, Jodhpur at 31.1°C — about 3 degrees above seasonal averages — Kota at 30.1°C, and Jaisalmer at 30°C.
Meteorologists have noted that unusually high nighttime temperatures are preventing the body from recovering from daytime heat stress, raising the risk of heat-related illness.
Conditions Across Key Cities
In Jaipur, intense sunshine prevailed from morning through evening on Sunday, with the maximum temperature rising by 1.3°C to reach 42.7°C — the third consecutive day of increase. The minimum temperature was recorded at 28.6°C. The IMD has forecast similar conditions over the next three to four days, with temperatures likely to climb a further 1 to 2°C.
Ajmer endured severe heatwave conditions with hot, dry winds — locally known as Loo — blowing throughout the day, pushing the maximum temperature past 42.4°C. In Kota, the maximum reached 44.2°C while the minimum held at 30.1°C.
Impact on Daily Life
The extreme heat has visibly altered daily routines across the state. Roads in multiple cities were largely deserted between 11 am and 4 pm, as residents avoided stepping out during peak afternoon hours. In several gaushalas (cow shelters), coolers have been installed and water is being sprayed on cattle multiple times a day as a precautionary measure.
The IMD has advised residents to avoid direct sun exposure during afternoon hours, remain well hydrated, and take precautions against heat-related illnesses. The department has warned that heatwave conditions are expected to persist across Rajasthan — including the northern and eastern regions — in the days ahead.
Point of View
Substantially raising the medical risk profile of this heatwave beyond what maximum readings alone suggest. Rajasthan's western districts routinely endure extreme summers, but the geographic spread into northern and eastern regions points to a broader meteorological pattern. Public health infrastructure in smaller districts — gaushalas aside — rarely scales to heatwave demand, and the IMD's yellow alert, while necessary, stops short of the orange or red designations that would trigger mandatory government response protocols.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which district recorded the highest temperature in Rajasthan on 18 May?
Barmer recorded the highest maximum temperature in Rajasthan at 45.4°C on 18 May. Bikaner followed closely at 45°C, and Jaisalmer at 44.9°C.
What does the IMD yellow alert for Rajasthan mean?
The IMD yellow alert for 19 Rajasthan districts on Monday and Tuesday signals that maximum temperatures in those areas are likely to remain between 42°C and 45°C. It advises residents to stay alert and take precautions against heat-related illness, particularly during afternoon hours.
Why are high nighttime temperatures during a heatwave dangerous?
Elevated nighttime temperatures prevent the body from recovering from daytime heat stress, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Hanumangarh recorded a minimum of 33.2°C — the hottest night in Rajasthan — while several other cities also logged minimums well above seasonal averages.
How long is the Rajasthan heatwave expected to last?
According to the IMD, heatwave conditions are expected to continue across Rajasthan — including western, northern, and eastern regions — over the coming days. In Jaipur, temperatures are forecast to rise by a further 1 to 2°C over the next three to four days.
What precautions has the IMD advised during the Rajasthan heatwave?
The IMD has advised residents to avoid direct sun exposure during afternoon hours, particularly between 11 am and 4 pm, stay well hydrated, and take precautions against heat-related illnesses. Authorities in some areas have also installed coolers in gaushalas and are spraying water on cattle to protect livestock.
