On April 24, 2026, Delhi officially entered its first heatwave of the season, with temperatures exceeding 43°C in various areas. This alarming trend is part of a broader climatic shift, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a Yellow Alert for extreme heat conditions. Traditionally, April would see a gradual warming, moderated by western disturbances that brought cooling rains. However, these disturbances have become less frequent, allowing hot winds from the Thar Desert to dominate the region. The situation is worsened by an anti-cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan, trapping hot air over North India. Urban Heat Islands exacerbate the issue, with temperatures in congested areas feeling 3°C to 5°C hotter than recorded levels. The proliferation of concrete and air conditioning units contributes to this phenomenon, leading to “Warm Night” warnings as cities struggle to cool down. Climate change is a significant factor, increasing the likelihood of early heatwaves in India by nearly 30 times due to human-induced warming, while disruptions in the Arctic are causing extreme weather patterns to linger longer over the region.