India's weather department has warned that parts of northern India, including the capital Delhi, are likely to experience heatwaves over the weekend after temperatures crossed 40°C in some areas on Thursday, making it one of the hottest days of the year.
The department also predicted above-normal temperatures in central and western states such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan over the next two to three days. Summers can be deadly in India, with scorching heat causing heat-related ailments and even deaths.
On Friday, officials said temperatures in northern and central India could rise by another 2-3°C. Earlier this week, Delhi's education department issued guidelines for schools, including stopping open-air classes, limiting outdoor assemblies, and reminding children to drink water every 45-60 minutes.
A 2024 study by the medical journal Lancet found that nearly one-third of heatwave days in India that year were driven by climate change. The study estimated that heat exposure in 2024 resulted in the loss of 247 billion potential labour hours, mostly in agriculture and construction, amounting to an economic loss of about $194 billion (£151 billion).
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can overwhelm the body's ability to regulate temperature, increasing risks of dehydration, heatstroke, cardiovascular stress, and death, especially among the elderly, infants, and outdoor workers.
Images from across the region show people covering their heads, wearing hats and scarves, eating ice cream, and seeking shade to cope with the intense heat.