Delhi-NCR heatwave: 46°C forecast Wednesday, orange alert issued
Synopsis
Delhi-NCR is mid-way through its most punishing heat stretch of 2025 — Tuesday's 45.1°C at Safdarjung was the city's highest this year, Ridge station hit 46.5°C, and Wednesday could push even higher. With an IMD orange alert in place, AQI crashing to 208, and GRAP Stage 1 restrictions triggered, the capital is fighting a two-front battle of heat and pollution simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR , forecasting temperatures near 46 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 21 May 2025 .
Safdarjung observatory recorded 45.1°C on Tuesday — 4.7 degrees above seasonal average and the city's highest this year.
Ridge station hit 46.5°C , the single highest reading in Delhi on Tuesday.
Tuesday marked Delhi's fourth heatwave day of 2025, following episodes on 23, 24, and 25 April .
Delhi's AQI rose to 208 by 4 pm — worst since 28 April — prompting GRAP Stage 1 restrictions.
Temperatures are forecast to hover near 44°C until 25 May ; Punjab , Haryana , Chandigarh , UP , MP , and Vidarbha also on alert.
Delhi-NCR is bracing for a brutal stretch of extreme heat this week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting temperatures approaching 46 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 21 May 2025. The weather agency has issued an orange alert for the region, cautioning residents about prolonged heatwave-like conditions over the coming days.
Tuesday's Record Temperatures
On Tuesday, 20 May, the Safdarjung observatory — Delhi's official weather station — logged a maximum of 45.1 degrees Celsius, roughly 4.7 degrees above the seasonal average and the highest reading recorded in the city so far this year. Several other stations surpassed even that mark: Ridge station topped out at 46.5 degrees Celsius, Ayanagar at 45.5 degrees, and Lodhi Road at 45.2 degrees Celsius.
Tuesday was also the fourth heatwave day of the year for Delhi, following similar conditions recorded on 23, 24, and 25 April. The city had already registered its hottest day of the season earlier in the week, with temperatures in several localities nearing 44 degrees Celsius.
Wider Regional Impact
The IMD has flagged severe heat not just for Delhi but also for Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh through the week. Parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha have been warned of unusually warm nights, with temperatures expected to remain significantly elevated even after sunset — a condition that compounds heat stress and raises health risks for vulnerable populations.
Air Quality Deteriorates
The extreme heat has compounded Delhi's air quality crisis. By 4 pm on Tuesday, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) had climbed to 208, the worst reading since 28 April, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage 1 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb further deterioration.
Forecast and Health Advisory
The IMD has forecast temperatures hovering around 44 degrees Celsius through 25 May, accompanied by strong surface winds during afternoon and evening hours. Authorities have urged residents to avoid outdoor exposure during peak daytime hours, stay hydrated, and watch for symptoms of heat-related illness. This sustained heat corridor — now in its fourth episode — signals an early and intense summer pattern that health officials say warrants heightened public vigilance.
Point of View
A frequency that climate scientists have long warned would become the new normal. What mainstream coverage underplays is the compounding effect: an AQI of 208 on a 45-degree day means residents face simultaneous respiratory and cardiovascular stress, a combination that disproportionately hits daily-wage workers and the elderly with no access to cooling. The GRAP Stage 1 activation is procedurally correct but operationally limited — dust and vehicular emissions in extreme heat are difficult to suppress without enforcement muscle. If the forecast through 25 May holds, Delhi is looking at a sustained heat corridor, not a passing spike, and public health infrastructure will be tested well before the monsoon arrives.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMD orange alert for Delhi-NCR?
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR, warning of prolonged heatwave conditions with temperatures likely to touch 46 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 21 May 2025. An orange alert signals severe weather that requires residents to take precautionary action.
What was Delhi's highest temperature recorded on Tuesday, 20 May?
The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi's official weather station, recorded 45.1 degrees Celsius on Tuesday — 4.7 degrees above the seasonal average and the city's highest this year. Ridge station recorded an even higher 46.5 degrees Celsius the same day.
Why has GRAP Stage 1 been activated in Delhi?
Delhi's Air Quality Index climbed to 208 by 4 pm on Tuesday, the worst reading since 28 April, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The Commission for Air Quality Management activated GRAP Stage 1 restrictions to prevent further deterioration amid the extreme heat.
Which other states are affected by the heatwave?
Besides Delhi, the IMD has warned Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh of severe heat through the week. Parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha have also been flagged for unusually warm nights, with temperatures remaining high even after sunset.
How long is the heatwave expected to last in Delhi?
The IMD has forecast temperatures hovering around 44 degrees Celsius until 25 May 2025, accompanied by strong surface winds in the afternoon and evening. Authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor activity during peak hours and stay hydrated.
