Uttar Pradesh has been reeling under intense heat for the past four to five days. On Tuesday, Banda recorded a season-high 48.2°C, making it the hottest city in the country and the third-hottest in the world. In 2022, Banda’s temperature reached 49.2°C. This four-year-old record is likely to be broken in the next few days.

Heatwave Alert Issued For 53 Districts

On Wednesday, most cities in Uttar Pradesh experienced intense sunshine since morning. The heat has made people miserable. Hot winds are creating a feeling of humidity. The Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for 53 districts in the state.

The International Monetary Fund (IMD) says that dry and hot winds from Pakistan’s Balochistan and Thar Desert are reaching the plains of North India. This is already causing the heat of the last week of May or June. For the next 10 days, the entire state will experience intense heat. Most districts will be affected by the heatwave. Daytime temperatures could reach 45 to 49°C. People should avoid sun exposure between 12 noon and 4 pm.

Schools Closed In Several Districts Due To Extreme Heat

Meanwhile, due to the heatwave in Mathura, all schools will remain closed from May 20th until the summer vacation. School camps and special events have been banned. Summer vacation has also been declared in Ambedkar Nagar. All schools in Bhadohi and Mirzapur have been closed until June 15th. In Varanasi, schools up to grade 12 are closed until May 25th. In Kanpur, Agra, and Banda, schools up to grade 8 have been closed.

In Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple management has advised devotees to avoid visiting during the afternoon. At the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, water is being sprinkled on the platform to keep it cool. In Lucknow, the heat was so intense that even iPhones failed, displaying heat alerts. Power outages caused protests in many places.

IMD Predicts No Immediate Relief From Heatwave

Senior meteorologist Atul Kumar Singh said-

The weather will remain clear across the state. Temperatures in most districts will reach between 45°C and 49°C. There is no hope of relief from the heat wave. A new western disturbance is expected to activate on May 29th, bringing a change in the weather. The monsoon is expected to reach Kerala around May 26th. The monsoon will enter Uttar Pradesh via Gorakhpur on June 18th. However, this is a tentative date.