India Records 95 Of World's 100 Hottest Cities; IMD Warns Of 45 Degrees For 3 More Days

New Delhi: The heatwave is wreaking havoc in India. In April, temperatures have crossed 40 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country. A severe heat wave has already begun, making many cities extremely hot. According to real-time global temperature rankings, 95 of the world's 100 hottest cities are in India. 

What does the data say?

Data from AQI.in on the heat wave in India reflects the intensity and extent of the heatwave across much of the subcontinent. Temperatures have surpassed 40 Degrees Celsius in many areas across the country in April. This includes many cities from Central India to the Gangetic plains. In many parts of the country, temperatures are nearing 45 Degrees Celsius.

Which all states are there in the list?

This list includes not only India's major cities but also smaller towns, highlighting the widespread and profound impact of the heatwave. The most affected states include Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. Many cities in these states are prominently featured in the global "Top 100" list. Of the top 20 hottest cities, 19 are in India.

Furthermore, nighttime heat remains a major concern. This prevents the atmosphere from cooling down due to high temperatures even at night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave warning for several areas and stated that the situation is likely to remain the same for the next three days.

Which city is facing problem?

Climate change and increasingly hot urban areas are also increasing the concern about heat. Indian cities are becoming urban heat islands. Along with Mumbai, cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Lucknow, Kanpur, Bengaluru, Cuttack, Jaipur, Bhopal are increasingly affected. High-rise buildings and cement, concrete houses are becoming a serious problem. Concrete, and glass houses in cities absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. The roofs of houses are also made of cement.

Regarding the increasing heat factor, 266 districts in India are in the very severe heat category, while 151 districts are in the severe category and 201 districts are in the moderate category.

What do the experts say?

Regarding the heatwave, experts said that this time the situation is more worrying because the heat is not limited to a single area but is spreading across multiple states simultaneously. Climate shift is also a reason for this. 

According to experts, such patterns are now being seen more frequently, which points to widespread climate change and rising baseline temperatures. The impact of urbanization is also important. Decreasing green cover in cities and the 'urban heat island' effect are also increasing the severity of heat.

Is there any hope for relief?

Amid the intense heat, some relief is on the horizon. Forecasts suggest thunderstorms and strong winds are expected in parts of eastern and northeastern India over the next few days, which could provide temporary relief. However, a significant and lasting drop in temperatures is unlikely until a pre-monsoon system strengthens or the monsoon advances. Currently, India remains the hottest place in the world.