Overview

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave alerts, including a red alert for Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions, as temperatures soar across northern, western, and central India.
• Delhi recorded its first heatwave of the year with temperatures reaching 41°C in some areas, while air quality remains in the 'poor' category, compounding health risks.
• Barmer in Rajasthan hit 45.6°C, the highest temperature ever recorded in the first week of April for the region, with several other cities across five states exceeding 42°C.
• The IMD forecasts a western disturbance may bring light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms to northern India starting April 8, offering limited respite from the extreme heat.
• Experts attribute the unusually early and intense heatwave to climate change, urging enhanced public safety measures and preparedness for what could be a historic summer.