Nagpur: Vidarbha continues to remain in the grip of a brutal and unrelenting heatwave, with temperatures crossing the dangerous 43°C mark across most districts. The situation in Nagpur has turned alarming, as the Orange City is now breaking its own seasonal records almost daily. On Friday, the city recorded a blistering 44.0°C, the highest temperature of the current summer so far, pushing normal life to the edge.
The scorching sun has forced citizens indoors, with roads wearing a deserted look during peak afternoon hours. Only essential movement was visible, mostly limited to office timings, as people struggled to cope with the searing conditions.
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Across Vidarbha, the heatwave has intensified further. Wardha and Amravati emerged as the second hottest places in the country, recording a sweltering 44.4°C, just behind Banda in Uttar Pradesh at 45.4°C. Akola, which had topped the national heat charts for consecutive days, slipped to third place with 44.1°C, while Nagpur, Gadchiroli, and Washim jointly ranked among the fourth hottest locations in India at 44.0°C.
The relentless rise in temperature has sparked serious concerns, particularly in urban centres like Nagpur, where exposure to extreme heat during afternoon hours has become increasingly hazardous. Health risks such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke loom large.
The India Meteorological Department has sounded a heatwave alert across the entire Vidarbha region for Saturday, warning that temperatures may soar further, potentially touching 45°C or more in several districts. Despite forecasts of partially cloudy skies from April 19, no immediate relief is expected.
Districts including Bhandara, Brahmapuri, Chandrapur, Gondia, and Yavatmal have already recorded temperatures above 42°C, and the mercury is likely to climb even higher in the coming days.
Authorities have urged residents to take strict precautions, avoid stepping out during peak hours, stay hydrated, and minimize direct exposure to sunlight.
A slight respite may finally arrive early next week, as the IMD has predicted thunderstorms and rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, offering hope of relief from the punishing heat.
For now, however, Vidarbha remains trapped under a blazing sky, with Nagpur at the epicentre of this intensifying summer crisis.
