Heatwave forces school closures and cooling shelters across North India

A severe heatwave is gripping large parts of northern and central India, forcing dramatic changes to daily life as temperatures soar well above seasonal averages. The India Meteorological Department has forecast maximum temperatures around 45 degrees Celsius in the capital, New Delhi, and warned that the dangerous conditions are likely to persist across several northern regions in the coming days.

The extreme heat has brought public activity to a standstill during afternoons, particularly in the populous state of Uttar Pradesh. Roads and markets have emptied as people stay indoors, with some traders shifting work to early mornings. In the city of Banda, which recorded a high of 48.2 degrees Celsius this week, the intense conditions have forced businesses to close and pushed outdoor labor into nighttime hours. Farmers have begun cultivating fields at night under artificial lights to avoid the unbearable daytime heat. The disruption has extended to schools, with authorities in several areas announcing early summer vacations and suspending classes.

In response to the crisis, authorities in New Delhi have opened temporary cooling shelters across the capital. These shaded spaces...