Breakoutbanglore at 01:03, 25 January 2026

2026-01-25T01:03:52Z

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{{Short description|Severe heatwave in India and Pakistan}}
{{Infobox heat event
| title = 2025 India{{endash}}Pakistan heat wave
| thermal_map =
| thermal_map_caption =
| type = [[Heat wave]]
| start_date = April 2025
| end_date = 10 July 2025
| areas = [[India]], [[Pakistan]]
| highest_temp_c = 48.0
| highest_temp_f = 118.4
| highest_temp_location = [[Sri Ganganagar]], [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]
| highest_temp_date = 12 June, 2025
| fatalities = 455 (in India, including associated storms)
* April: 195
* May: 260
}}The '''2025 India–Pakistan heat wave''' refers to a deadly [[extreme weather]] event of abnormally high temperatures that affected the [[Indian subcontinent]] beginning in early April 2025 and ending in July 2025. The weather phenomenon arrived earlier than the typical May–June summer heat wave season, and was characterized by temperatures significantly above seasonal averages across both nations. The event placed hundreds of millions of civilians under extreme [[Thermal stress on humans|thermal stress]], creating widespread health concerns and agricultural disruptions throughout the region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mogul |first=Rhea |last2=Saifi |first2=Sophia |date=2025-04-15 |title=Extended heatwave in India, Pakistan to test survivability limits, with temperatures reaching Death Valley levels |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/15/asia/india-pakistan-heatwave-climate-crisis-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

== Meteorology ==
The heat wave began affecting both [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] in early April 2025, with [[Meteorology|meteorological agencies]] in both countries reporting temperatures reaching 5-8 °C above seasonal norms. [[Meteorologist|Weather authorities]] predicted the abnormal heat would persist longer than typical seasonal patterns, with the [[India Meteorological Department]] warning citizens to prepare for an "above-normal number of heatwave days" throughout April.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-07 |title=It's only early April and north India is bracing for extreme heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyn741gg73o |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Meteorologists characterized the 2025 heat wave as part of a broader pattern of changing climate conditions affecting the Indian subcontinent. [[Climatology|Climate scientists]] identified the region as particularly vulnerable to thermal extremes, with projections suggesting that by mid-century, parts of India could be among the first global regions to experience temperatures exceeding human survivability thresholds. Climate experts warned that [[Health equity|socioeconomic disparities]] would likely determine exposure and adaptation capacity during extreme heat events. Communities lacking access to adequate housing, cooling technologies, and stable income sources faced disproportionate risks from increasing thermal extremes.<ref name=":0" />

=== India ===
In India's capital of [[New Delhi]], temperatures exceeded {{Convert|40|C|F}} multiple times during April, marking departures of up to 5 °C from average seasonal values and impacting the city's more than sixteen million residents. The neighboring state of [[Rajasthan]] registered extreme temperatures of {{Convert|44|C|F}} by mid-April.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2025-04-11 |title=Weather tracker: early heatwave sweeps northern India |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/11/weather-tracker-early-heatwave-sweeps-northern-india |access-date=2025-04-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title=Delhi News Highlights: Rising heat triggers ‘yellow’ alert as mercury set to touch 42°C |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-news-live-updates-weather-heatwave-mcd-9944684/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

[[Barmer, Rajasthan|Barmer]], a city in Rajasthan, recorded a peak temperature of {{Convert|46.4|C|F}} on 8 April, representing a deviation of more than 6 °C above average April maximum temperatures for the region and breaking the decades-old April temperature records for the region.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-04-15 |title=Record temperatures scorch parts of India amid heatwave |url=https://www.eco-business.com/news/record-temperatures-scorch-parts-of-india-amid-heatwave/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Eco-Business |language=en}}</ref> In [[Jaipur]], the capital of Rajasthan, temperatures exceeded {{Convert|40|C|F}} for five consecutive days beginning 6 April. The city registered a peak temperature of {{Convert|43.0|C|F}} on 9 April, approximately 5 °C above typical April high temperatures for the location.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

On 8 April, approximately thirty [[weather station]]s spread throughout India documented temperatures exceeding {{Convert|43.0|C|F}}, with many areas classified as experiencing severe heat wave conditions according to official meteorological standards.<ref name=":3" />

The extreme heat conditions triggered severe meteorological reactions in the eastern state of [[Bihar]], including its capital city [[Patna]]. The meeting of sharply contrasting weather fronts generated intense [[thunderstorm]] activity characterized by frequent lightning strikes, significant [[hail]], and powerful [[wind gust]]s. These severe weather events resulted in at least nineteen fatalities over a two-day period.<ref name=":2" />

=== Pakistan ===
The southwestern Pakistani province of [[Balochistan]] was predicted to record some of the most extreme conditions, with maximum temperatures potentially approaching {{Convert|49|C|F}}, comparable to readings typically observed in [[North America]]'s [[Death Valley]].<ref name=":0" />

In a sea-facing city like Karachi, the temperature reading has become irrelevant as various rain systems just zip past the city towards Punjab or wherever, with hung clouds over the urban, leaving the Karachiites breezeless which is the only thing that gives respite from permanently severe humidity the city is notorious for.

== Impact ==
Power demands for air conditioning systems in both nations increased dramatically, straining generation capacity and distribution networks. Extended power outages reported in multiple regions caused further thermal stress to affected populations.<ref name=":0" />

=== India ===
The India Meteorological Department issued early warnings about the abnormal heat conditions in mid-April, particularly affecting the capital region and northwestern territories.<ref name=":0" />

Agricultural communities in northwestern India reported widespread disruptions to farming activities and increasing cases of [[heat illness]]es. Fieldworkers described symptoms including [[dehydration]], [[nausea]], and [[dizziness]] when attempting outdoor labor during peak temperature periods.<ref name=":0" /> In Bihar, agricultural products including [[mango]], [[lychee]], and [[wheat]] crops suffered extensive damage just weeks before scheduled harvests.<ref name=":2" />

=== Pakistan ===
The [[Pakistan Meteorological Department]] forecast temperature anomalies of up to 8 °C above normal from 14 April to 18 April. The southwestern province of [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] experienced particularly severe conditions, with inhabitants of [[Dera Murad Jamali]] city reporting that the thermal stress arrived with unexpected intensity.<ref name=":0" />

Extended [[power outage]]s lasting up to sixteen hours daily exacerbated challenges against living conditions for many residents, eliminating access to [[Air conditioning|cooling systems]] during critical high-temperature periods. The province faced additional [[water security]] challenges due to minimal rainfall and significant [[drought]] conditions during the winter months preceding the heat wave. Pakistani farmers reported accelerated crop development followed by reduced yields as plants struggled to cope with thermal stress and water scarcity during critical growth stages.<ref name=":0" />

== Responses ==
Several regions in [[Gujarat]] state were placed under orange alert status on 10 April, indicating heat wave conditions in multiple districts and heightened probability of heat-related illnesses. Residents of impacted areas were instructed to avoid [[Heat urticaria|heat exposure]] while taking active measures against dehydration.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Uttar Pradesh]] [[Government of Uttar Pradesh|Government]] issued directives for hospitals to prepare for increased cases of heat-related illnesses. The state administration also alerted [[Veterinary medicine|veterinarian teams]] and [[animal shelter]]s to remain vigilant and ensure adequate shelter and water provisions for [[livestock]] and other animals under their care.<ref name=":3" />

== See also ==
* [[2024 Pakistan heat wave]]
* [[2019 India–Pakistan heat wave ]]
* [[2022 India–Pakistan heat wave]]
* [[2025 in India]]
* [[2025 in Pakistan]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Deadliest meteorological events in 2025}}
{{Heat wave|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2025 India-Pakistan heat wave}}
[[Category:2025 heat waves|India–Pakistan heat wave]]
[[Category:April 2025 in India|Heat waves]]
[[Category:April 2025 in Pakistan|Heat waves]]
[[Category:Heat waves in India]]
[[Category:Heat waves in Pakistan]]

2025 India Pakistan heat wave - Revision history

Breakoutbanglore at 01:03, 25 January 2026