Uttar Pradesh continues to reel under an intense heat wave as both day and night temperatures remain alarmingly high across the state. With scorching sunlight and dry, hot winds sweeping through the region, life has become unbearable for millions of residents, especially in eastern and western Uttar Pradesh.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Lucknow has issued an orange alert for Wednesday, warning of extreme heat conditions and unusually warm nights in 40 districts, including Prayagraj, Varanasi, Agra, Jhansi, Banda, and others.
On Tuesday, temperatures in more than 15 districts breached the 40 degrees Celsius mark. In districts like Jhansi, Hamirpur, Orai, and Banda, the conditions were particularly harsh.
“We are witnessing a prolonged and intensifying heat wave. The maximum temperature is likely to increase by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in the next three to four days,” said Atul Kumar Singh, senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Lucknow. “Some districts, including Jhansi, may touch 45 degrees Celsius very soon.” As the mercury soared, discomfort among locals increased. Many are struggling to get adequate sleep due to sweltering night temperatures, a condition rarely experienced so early in the summer.
“I could not sleep the whole night even with the fan on,” said Rita Devi, a housewife from Varanasi. “The walls feel like they are radiating heat. It is as if the day’s heat has started staying back into the night.”
“It is hard to step out even at 9 in the morning. The winds feel like they are burning your skin,” said Sunil Yadav, a rickshaw puller in Kanpur. “Our earnings have dropped too because people avoid coming out in such weather.”
The heat wave warning spans a wide swath of the state, covering districts such as Banda, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra, Varanasi, Ballia, Mathura, Etawah, Aligarh, Jhansi, and more. These areas are expected to experience hot days with dry winds (loo) and warmer-than-usual nights, increasing the risk of heat stroke and other related ailments.
Hospitals have also reported a rise in cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration.
“We’re advising people to stay indoors, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid exposure to the sun during peak hours,” said Dr Sameer Srivastava, a general physician in Prayagraj. “Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.”
Local authorities have begun setting up water kiosks in busy areas, and government advisories have been issued urging schools to keep children hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during the noon hours. “We have shortened the school timings and ensured every classroom has access to cold drinking water,” said Neha Saxena, principal of a private school in Rae Bareli.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for relief from dust storms or pre-monsoon showers in the coming weeks, though none are currently forecasted.
Until then, Uttar Pradesh braces for another wave of scorching days and sleepless nights, as summer tightens its grip on the region.