Heatwave forces school closures across North India; peak power demand hits record

SWATHES OF NORTH INDIA REEL FROM SEVERE HEATWAVE CONDITIONS

North India, including Haryana and Delhi, is grappling with intense heatwave conditions, with the temperature in Najafgarh, Delhi, reaching a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, the highest recorded in the country.

The mercury remained above 45 degrees Celsius in many regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh, disrupting daily routines as people opted to stay indoors during the afternoon hours.

The extreme heat posed significant challenges for low-income households, often lacking adequate water and cooling facilities, and outdoor workers were compelled to take frequent breaks due to the unbearable heat.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in many parts of Haryana and Delhi on Monday. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh also experienced heatwave conditions in some areas, along with isolated pockets of Punjab, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Delhi's temperature crossed the 47 degrees Celsius mark again, prompting the weather office to issue a red alert for the next five days due to the expected heatwave to severe heatwave conditions.

In response to the severe heat, several state governments have declared holidays for schools, with the provision of online classes as an alternative.

The Delhi government has instructed schools that have not yet closed for summer vacations to do so immediately. The city government's Directorate of Education issued a circular directing all schools to observe summer vacation from May 11 to June 30 for this academic year.