At a sweltering 46.9 degrees Celsius, the city of Akola in Maharashtra on Sunday recorded the highest temperature in India, making it the hottest place in the country for the day. The reading was logged by the India Meteorological Department’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Nagpur and underscores the intensity of the heat wave gripping the Vidarbha region.

Neighbouring districts in Vidarbha closely trailed Akola, with Amravati hitting 46.8 degrees, Wardha at 46.4 degrees, Yavatmal at 46 degrees, and Nagpur touching 45.4 degrees, while Chandrapur reached 45 degrees. Officials have warned that heat‑wave conditions are likely to persist across parts of Maharashtra, with maxima expected to hover between 45 and 46 degrees, and isolated spots potentially touching 47 degrees.

The heat surge has triggered an “orange” heat‑wave alert in Akola and surrounding districts, prompting local authorities to advise residents to avoid prolonged outdoor activity during afternoons and to stay hydrated. Hospitals and civic bodies are on high alert for heat‑related illnesses, including heatstroke and dehydration, especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.

Also Read: 18-Month-Old Girl Thrown Into Drain By Mother In Faridabad; Investigation On

Akola’s extreme reading is part of a broader pattern of early‑season heat stress across north‑western and central India, where temperatures are rising earlier and more sharply than in previous decades. Climate experts say factors such as prolonged dry spells, land‑use changes, and rising background temperatures due to global warming are amplifying the severity and duration of such episodes.

With summer still early in April, the Akola reading has become a stark indicator of the public health and infrastructure challenges posed by India’s growing heat risk. Local administrations in Vidarbha are focusing on cooling shelters, water supply, and public advisories, even as meteorologists hint that the coming weeks may bring further record‑breaking days.

Also Read: Watermelon Linked To Suspected Food Poisoning That Kills Mumbai Family Of Four