Heatwave 2026: 19 of World’s 20 Hottest Places in India
Image credit X India Met department
Temperatures hit 44°C in eastern India; IMD warns of worsening heatwave till April 24
By NIRENDRA DEV
New Delhi, April 21, 2026 — India has emerged as the epicentre of a global heat surge, with 19 of the world’s 20 hottest locations recorded within the country, according to data released by AQI.in on April 21 at 12:21 pm IST.
The only non-Indian location in the top 20 list is Lumbini, underscoring the intensity and geographic spread of the ongoing heatwave across the Indian subcontinent.
The list is dominated by cities in eastern and northern India, particularly in Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, where temperatures have surged to extreme levels.
Cities such as Bhagalpur, Talcher, and Asansol topped the charts, each recording a scorching 44°C.
Close behind were several other hotspots, including Begusarai, Motihari, Munger, Bhojpur, and Siwan, along with parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, all reporting temperatures around 43°C.
Other cities on the list include Bolangir, Durgapur, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi, highlighting the widespread nature of the heatwave.
Notably, traditionally hotter states like Rajasthan and Gujarat did not feature in the top 20 list this time, marking an unusual eastward concentration of extreme heat.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heatwave conditions are likely to persist between April 22 and April 24, with maximum temperatures expected to rise further, potentially touching 43°C or more in several regions.
Meteorologists attribute the extreme conditions to intense solar heating during the pre-monsoon period, compounded by clear skies across northern and central India. The absence of cloud cover has allowed uninterrupted solar radiation, accelerating the rise in surface temperatures.
With the heatwave tightening its grip, authorities have urged residents to take precautions, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and stay hydrated as India braces for a potentially prolonged spell of extreme weather.
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