The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 23 May 2026 extended its heat wave warning across vast parts of North, Central and Peninsular India until 28 May 2026, with severe heat wave conditions very likely in isolated to some pockets over West Rajasthan during 24-29 May and heat wave conditions over the rest of Northwest, Central and East Peninsular India. Akola in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra had earlier recorded the highest national temperature of 46.9 degrees Celsius. India's power producers set a new single-day record for electricity generation as demand surged with intense cooling appliance use; the Ministry of Power reported peak demand crossing previous records in the western and northern grids. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in partnership with the IMD, is operating Heat Action Plans with twenty-three States and Union Territories under the National Framework for Heat Wave Management. State-level interventions include shifting school timings, advisories for outdoor workers between 12 noon and 4 pm, ORS distribution, expanded paani patrol cooling centres, hospital readiness for heat stroke and Ayush Ministry recommendations such as Sheetali Pranayama. The IMD classifies a heat wave when maximum temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius in plains and 30 degrees in hilly areas with a departure of 4.5 to 6.4 degrees from normal, and a severe heat wave above 6.4 degrees departure. Long-duration heat is also straining agriculture, livestock and electricity grids and pushing the Centre to fast-track climate resilience financing.
India Meteorological Department Extends Severe Heat Wave Warning Across North, Central and Peninsular India Until 28 May 2026 as Akola Records 46.9 Degrees Celsius and India Sets a New Record for Single-Day Electricity Generation Driven by Air-Conditioning Demand While the National Disaster Management Authority and IMD Operationalise Heat Action Plans with Twenty-Three States Under the National Framework for Heat Wave Management
IMD on 23 May 2026 extended its heat wave warning across north, central and peninsular India till 28 May 2026 with severe heat wave likely over West Rajasthan; Akola recorded 46.9 degrees C, India's power generation hit a single-day record, and NDMA-IMD is running Heat Action Plans with 23 States/UTs under the National Framework.
Key facts
- IMD on 23 May 2026 extended heat wave warning across north, central and peninsular India till 28 May 2026
- Severe heat wave conditions likely in isolated to some pockets over West Rajasthan during 24-29 May 2026
- Akola in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region recorded national high of 46.9 degrees Celsius in April 2026
- India's power producers set a new single-day record for electricity generation as cooling demand surged
- NDMA and IMD operationalise Heat Action Plans with 23 States/UTs under the National Framework for Heat Wave Management
- IMD declares heat wave when max temperature reaches 40 degrees C in plains with departure of 4.5-6.4 degrees C from normal; severe heat wave above 6.4 degrees departure
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Practice MCQ from this story
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With reference to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) criteria for declaring a heat wave, consider the following statements: 1. A heat wave is declared in the plains when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius with a departure of 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius from normal. 2. A severe heat wave is declared when the departure of maximum temperature from normal exceeds 6.4 degrees Celsius. 3. In hilly areas the threshold maximum temperature for a heat wave declaration is 30 degrees Celsius. Which of the statements given above are correct?
All three statements are correct. As per IMD criteria, a heat wave is declared in the plains when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius and the departure from normal is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius. A severe heat wave is declared when the departure exceeds 6.4 degrees from normal. In hilly areas the threshold maximum temperature for heat wave declaration is 30 degrees Celsius (and 37 degrees in coastal areas). IMD on 23 May 2026 extended its heat wave warning till 28 May 2026 with severe heat wave conditions likely over West Rajasthan.
Source: India Meteorological Department
Frequently asked questions
When does the IMD classify a heat wave?
The IMD declares a heat wave when the maximum temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas and 30 degrees in hilly areas, with a departure of 4.5-6.4 degrees Celsius from normal. A severe heat wave is declared above 6.4 degrees departure from normal.
Who coordinates Heat Action Plans in India?
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) coordinates with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), state disaster management authorities and 23 State/UT governments to design and operationalise Heat Action Plans under the National Framework for Heat Wave Management.
What is the impact of the 2026 heat wave on the power grid?
Surging air-conditioning and cooling appliance demand drove India's power producers to a new single-day generation record in May 2026, with western and northern grids touching peak load levels and the Ministry of Power activating contingency protocols.
What are the key state-level interventions during a heat wave?
State-level interventions include changed school timings, advisories for outdoor workers between 12 noon and 4 pm, ORS distribution, additional drinking water and cooling centres, hospital readiness for heat stroke, and Ayush practices such as Sheetali Pranayama.
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