Weather News Live Updates: Heatwave hits Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune; rain relief expected soon

Across cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune, the persistent heatwave has led to a surge in heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, gastroenteritis, kidney stones, and heat exhaustion. The IMD and health authorities have urged residents to avoid outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and take necessary precautions against heat stress.

In Maharashtra, Pune continues to endure severe heat conditions. Lohegaon recorded the state’s highest temperature on Sunday at 42.8°C, 4.1°C above normal. Despite forecasted cloud cover between April 30 and May 2, IMD Pune officials clarified that it will not significantly cool daytime temperatures, although evenings may see a slight dip in intensity.

Over the weekend, hailstorms lashed several parts of the Alluri Sitharama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh, damaging standing horticulture crops. IMD Amaravati has warned of more thunderstorms accompanied by lightning in north coastal Andhra Pradesh, south coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Rayalaseema till April 30, with gusty winds adding to the damage potential.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category at 246 on Sunday. The Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System forecasts that AQI levels will remain poor until April 29 but are likely to improve to 'moderate' by April 30, especially with expected rainfall and wind activity aiding pollution dispersion.

Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, explained that extreme surface heating on Saturday caused temperatures to soar, while cloudy skies during the night prevented the accumulated heat from escaping, leading to an unusually high minimum temperature.

While Saturday witnessed Delhi’s hottest day of the season with 42.1°C, Sunday saw a slight dip to 41.3°C. However, the maximum temperature still remained two notches above the seasonal average, maintaining intense heatwave conditions across the city and adjoining areas.

On Sunday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 27.2°C — the hottest April night the city has seen since 2019, when the minimum touched 28°C. The temperature was three degrees above normal and marked the highest minimum of the year so far. This sudden rise highlights the increasing intensity of heat events early in the summer season.