Heatwave in India: The IMD has issued an Orange alert for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh. Large parts of northern, central and western India, including Delhi, continue to reel under scorching heat, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius across multiple states and authorities scrambling to reduce the impact on daily life.Women cover themselves with an umbrella to protect themselves from heatwave, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI)While parts of the national capital received rain on Saturday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD)'s warning for heatwave in the city continues till May 28. The weather body warned that heatwave conditions are likely to persist over the coming days, with severe heatwave conditions already reported from parts of Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh are also among the regions facing extreme temperatures.The IMD has maintained an Orange alert for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh. A Red alert remains in force for southern Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha and north coastal Andhra Pradesh.Punjab alters school and office timingsAs temperatures climbed steadily, Punjab announced immediate changes in working hours for schools and government offices.Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said all government offices and both public and private schools in the state will operate from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM starting May 25. The move is aimed at reducing exposure to peak afternoon heat, especially for children and employees commuting in extreme weather.People cover their faces to protect themselves from the heatwave on a summer day. (PTI)Delhi sizzles despite brief dipDelhi received rainfall for a brief period on Saturday, bringing respite from heatwave conditions in the capital city. However, heat stress is expected to continue in Delhi till May 28.At the Ridge station, a formal heatwave condition was established after the maximum temperature reached 45.3 degrees Celsius on Friday.Other parts of the capital also reported oppressive heat, including 44.5 degrees Celsius in Ayanagar, 44.3 degrees Celsius in Lodhi Road and Palam, and 43.6 degrees Celsius in Safdarjung.The IMD has retained its heatwave alert for Delhi till May 28 and forecast temperatures in the range of 44 degrees Celsius to 46 degrees Celsiusover the next several days.A view of Sanjay Van Lake, where thousands of dead fish float along the shores as the water body dries up amid the ongoing heatwave in New Delhi on Thursday. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO)Uttar Pradesh battles extreme conditionsSouthern Uttar Pradesh remains among the worst-affected regions in the country. The IMD has issued a severe heatwave warning for eastern Uttar Pradesh till May 28, while Banda district recorded a scorching 46.4 degrees Celsius.A woman covers her face while walking along a road amid dusty winds and scorching heat during a heatwave, in Prayagraj, Monday, May 18, 2026. (PTI)Gujarat and Uttarakhand also under ‘heat stress’Gujarat’s urban centres continued to record temperatures between 42 degrees Celsius and 43 degrees Celsius, prompting health officials to issue repeated warnings.In Rajkot, Medical Officer of Health Jayesh L Vakani urged residents to avoid stepping outdoors unnecessarily during afternoon hours.In Uttarakhand, officials described conditions in plains districts such as Dehradun and Haridwar as “heatwave-like”, with temperatures hovering between 40 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius.Relief in Shimla, alerts continue elsewhereWhile the plains struggled under relentless heat, some hill regions experienced a temporary shift in weather.Shimla and nearby districts recorded a drop of 6-8 degrees Celsius over the past 24 hours due to a western disturbance.IMD Senior Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma said rainfall accompanied by thunder may occur in parts of Chamba, Kangra and Kullu.Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More