Heatwave crisis: Severe heat dome grips North India as temperatures soar up to 48°C

North India is experiencing an intense heat dome, pushing temperatures between 45°C and 48°C in many regions including Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of central India. Cities like Banda, Nagpur, Bhatinda, and Jaipur are among the worst affected, with conditions described as furnace-like, leading to near lockdown-like situations as people avoid stepping outside. The extreme heat has severely disrupted daily life, with streets largely empty and widespread health concerns. Environmental impact is also being reported, including fish deaths in Delhi’s Sanjay Lake due to falling water levels and rising temperatures. Wildlife is also affected, with incidents like monkeys seeking water from people highlighting the severity of the crisis. At the same time, unusual global weather patterns are being observed, including floods in China and the US, forest fires, and unexpected snowfall in parts of the Himalayas, raising concerns among scientists about worsening climate change and extreme weather conditions worldwide.