Banda hottest at 45.4°C; Kashi schools rescheduled

April 18, 2026

Severe heat is prevailing in UP. The mercury has crossed 45°C. On Friday, Banda recorded a temperature of 45.4°C. This was the highest in the entire country. Since Saturday morning, most districts have been experiencing intense sunlight. Hot winds are blowing.

In Varanasi, due to the heat, the school timings for classes up to 8th grade have been changed. Classes will now run from 7:30 AM to 1 PM. In 17 districts, including Prayagraj and Jhansi, the maximum temperature was recorded at 40 degrees or above. Children going to school were seen covering their faces with cloth and carrying umbrellas.

Last year, in the last week of April, that is, on April 27, the mercury had crossed 45°C. This means that this time the heat has started showing its harsh tendency 10 days earlier. However, in western UP, the weather changed on Friday evening. Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar experienced rain along with storms. In many places, trees and electric poles were uprooted. This led to a drop of 7 degrees Celsius in the temperature.

Lucknow’s meteorologist Atul Singh said-

In the state, the temperature will rise by 2-3 degrees over the next 3 days. After that, a new western disturbance will become active. However, there is no possibility of rain. The direction of the winds will change. Clouds may cover the sky. There may be slight relief from the heat.

Know the condition of the cities-

Lucknow: Since morning, there has been intense sunlight along with the effect of humidity. For most of the day, the weather will remain clear. In the past 11 days, a rise of up to 13 degrees in temperature has been recorded. Today, the mercury is expected to reach its record level for the season.
Kanpur: Intense sunlight has been out in the city since morning. The sky is clear. The current temperature is around 32 degrees Celsius. By afternoon, this temperature is likely to cross 40 degrees. Now, along with the heat, humidity has also started to cause discomfort.
Varanasi: The weather is clear. The wind speed has been recorded at 8 kilometers per hour. According to the meteorological department, a continuous rise in temperature is expected in the coming week. The mercury is estimated to cross 45 degrees.
Prayagraj: Cold winds blew at night. However, with the sunrise in the morning, the heat started. Harsh sunlight has come out. The temperature has remained above 40 degrees for the past three days. There is no sign of rain.

Ayodhya: The weather is clear. The maximum temperature was recorded at 41 degrees Celsius, which is three degrees higher than usual. However, a drop in nighttime temperature was recorded. The temperature remained at 20 degrees Celsius.
Gorakhpur: The sky has been completely clear since morning. Due to the strong sunlight, the effect of heat has intensified from the beginning of the day. With the rise in temperature, people have started feeling heat like a heatwave.

Why is it so hot already?

According to meteorologists, currently no active weather systems are present, which is causing dry westerly winds to flow directly into the plains. Along with this, an anticyclone that had formed over Karnataka and Maharashtra is now moving towards central India. For this reason, the temperature is continuously rising.

How will the weather be for 4 days?

April 19 – The sky will remain clear in Eastern and Western UP. Strong winds may blow. The heat will increase due to strong sunlight.
April 20 – The weather in the state will remain dry. There is no warning of rain or storm.
April 21 – There will be strong sunlight in Eastern and Western UP. The intensity of the heat will increase.
April 22 – The weather will remain clear throughout the state. Hot winds will blow. The heat will increase.