India is facing very harsh climatic conditions due to heatwaves prevailing in most parts of North and Central India. The IMD has issued warnings at both orange and red level in various states of India. The cities such as Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Punjab, and Haryana have been most affected by the heat wave phenomenon.

The IMD in Delhi has issued an orange alert until May 26 due to the ongoing heat wave along with hot winds prevailing in the area. In Delhi, there have been several instances of severe heat stroke this year as well, where people admitted to hospitals had extremely high body temperatures. People have been advised not to go outside for unnecessary activities and keep themselves well-hydrated.

The scorching heat is not limited to Delhi alone but it is affecting other regions such as Banda district in Uttar Pradesh. The area recorded maximum temperatures higher than 48 degrees Celsius, one of the highest in the country. There have been reports indicating that the normal routine work of the region is highly affected by this heat wave. While Delhi has reported first heatstroke patients on Thursday, reported by a news agency.

There is an increase in tourist attraction in places like Manali and Shimla as people prefer cooling weather during the extreme heatwave. However, it is also important to mention here that some parts of Himachal Pradesh have reported higher temperatures than usual. The towns of Manali and Shimla too have witnessed warmer temperatures but still cooler than that of the plains.

This continuous wave of heat is putting strain on the electrical supply systems of several cities. There has been a significant increase in power usage due to the dependency of households and industries on cooling appliances because of the extreme heat waves. The increasing electricity demand is being closely observed by the authorities.

Heat waves have been found to be linked with the overall trend of climate change by experts in the field. Scientists warn that there is an increase in urban heat in India and that nights are becoming warmer, in addition to the dry spell in the country. The ongoing heat is also putting pressure on electricity.