New Delhi: A severe heatwave has struck Delhi and other regions in India, leading authorities to issue alerts across several states. On Monday, Delhi experienced its hottest day of the season, with temperatures soaring to 40.2 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, marking a 5.1-degree rise above normal levels.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that Delhi's maximum temperature will remain between 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. This temperature spike aligns with the IMD's heatwave prediction for the capital this week. In the plains, a heatwave is declared when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius and are at least 4.5 degrees above normal.

The IMD has also warned of an early onset of intense summer conditions across the country, highlighting that around 21 cities in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, and Maharashtra are expected to experience high temperatures in the coming days.