Chittorgarh hits 46.3°C as Rajasthan heatwave; alerts in 18 districts
Synopsis
Rajasthan's heatwave has turned ferocious: Chittorgarh hit 46.3°C while Jaipur's overnight low of 31.3°C outstripped desert cities Barmer and Jaisalmer. With orange and yellow alerts spanning 18 districts and no relief forecast for three to four days, the state is facing one of its most intense May heat spells in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Chittorgarh recorded Rajasthan's highest temperature at 46.3 degrees Celsius on 20 May .
IMD issued an orange alert in 2 districts and a yellow alert in 16 districts for Wednesday.
Jaipur's minimum temperature hit 31.3 degrees Celsius — higher than desert cities Barmer and Jaisalmer .
The Shekhawati belt , including Sikar , has been under severe heatwave conditions for six consecutive days .
All districts except Sirohi recorded temperatures between 40 and 47 degrees Celsius .
Heatwave conditions are forecast to persist over northeastern and western Rajasthan for the next three to four days .
Rajasthan remained in the grip of a severe heatwave on Tuesday, 20 May, with Chittorgarh recording the state's highest temperature at a scorching 46.3 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for severe heatwave conditions in two districts for Wednesday, while 16 districts remain under a yellow alert as blistering daytime heat and unusually warm nights continue to afflict large parts of the state.
Scale of the Heatwave
Nearly all districts in Rajasthan — barring Sirohi — recorded daytime temperatures between 40 and 47 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department. Northwestern Rajasthan emerged as the worst-affected zone, with several districts in both the western and eastern parts of the state crossing the 44-degree Celsius mark from morning through late evening.
The IMD has warned that similar heatwave conditions are likely to persist over northeastern and western Rajasthan for the next three to four days, offering little immediate respite to residents.
Jaipur's Warm Nights Raise Concern
The state capital, Jaipur, logged a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius — its second consecutive heatwave day — while the minimum temperature remained an unusually high 31.3 degrees Celsius. The IMD classified the overnight conditions as a 'warm night', noting that Jaipur's nighttime temperature surpassed even desert cities such as Barmer and Jaisalmer. Similar conditions are forecast to continue in the city for the next two to three days.
In an effort to protect animals from the extreme heat, Jaipur Zoo authorities installed water sprinklers inside the Emu enclosure as a precautionary measure.
City-by-City Temperature Readings
Udaipur recorded a slight improvement over Monday, with a maximum of 41.7 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, down from 43.3 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius respectively the day before. Despite the marginal dip, strong sunshine and hot winds kept roads and markets largely deserted through the afternoon.
Ajmer saw a maximum of 41.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 29.3 degrees Celsius, with officials noting that hot winds are now being felt even during nighttime hours. The IMD has forecast dry weather for the Ajmer division over the coming week, accompanied by strong winds of 20 to 30 kilometres per hour. The city's Fire Brigade deployed water tankers to sprinkle water on roads in an effort to lower surface temperatures.
The Shekhawati belt, including Sikar, endured severe heatwave conditions for the sixth consecutive day. Sikar posted a maximum of 43.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.9 degrees Celsius, with residents venturing out only with faces covered. Dry conditions are expected to persist in the region for at least the next four days.
Jodhpur recorded a daytime high of 43 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with added humidity compounding public discomfort. The IMD has issued a heatwave alert for the city covering the next three days.
What Comes Next
With no significant weather system on the horizon for most of Rajasthan, authorities have urged residents to avoid outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and heed official advisories. The combination of record daytime highs and elevated nighttime temperatures — a pattern increasingly associated with intensifying heat events — points to a prolonged spell of distress across the state.
Point of View
Sharply raising the risk of heat-related illness and death, especially among the elderly and outdoor workers. Rajasthan's heatwave coverage tends to focus on peak daytime readings, but the nighttime temperature trend is arguably the more dangerous metric and deserves its own public health advisory. With dry conditions locked in for most of the state through the week and no monsoon onset in sight, the administration's response — water tankers and zoo sprinklers — appears reactive rather than anticipatory.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which district recorded the highest temperature in Rajasthan on 20 May?
Chittorgarh recorded the highest temperature in Rajasthan at 46.3 degrees Celsius on 20 May, according to the India Meteorological Department. It was the hottest reading in the state during the ongoing heatwave spell.
What do the orange and yellow alerts issued by IMD mean for Rajasthan?
An orange alert signals severe heatwave conditions requiring preparedness and precautionary action; it has been issued for two Rajasthan districts for Wednesday. A yellow alert, covering 16 districts, warns of heatwave conditions and advises residents to stay alert and take protective measures.
Why is Jaipur's nighttime temperature significant?
Jaipur recorded a minimum temperature of 31.3 degrees Celsius on 20 May — higher than desert cities Barmer and Jaisalmer. The IMD classified this as a 'warm night', meaning residents get little overnight relief from heat stress, which raises public health risks.
How long has the Shekhawati region been under heatwave conditions?
The Shekhawati belt, including Sikar, has been under severe heatwave conditions for six consecutive days as of 20 May. Sikar recorded a maximum of 43.5 degrees Celsius, with dry conditions forecast for at least four more days.
When is relief expected from the Rajasthan heatwave?
The IMD has not forecast any immediate relief, warning that heatwave conditions are likely to persist over northeastern and western Rajasthan for the next three to four days. Dry weather with strong winds of 20 to 30 kilometres per hour is expected across several divisions through the coming week.
