The India Hottest Cities 2026 report highlighted the severe heatwave conditions across the country on 22 May 2026. India recorded 97 cities in the list of the world’s 100 hottest cities during the extreme summer spell. Balangir in Odisha reached 48°C, while Sasaram in Bihar also touched 48°C. Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh recorded 47°C as intense heat affected northern, central and eastern India.

Severe Heatwave Across India

The ongoing heatwave spread across several Indian states during the pre-monsoon season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions would continue until 27 May 2026 in many regions.

States in northern, central and eastern India experienced temperatures much higher than normal seasonal levels. Many districts reported dangerous daytime heat, making outdoor activities difficult for people.

What is a Heatwave?

A heatwave is a period of unusually high temperature lasting for several days. In India, the IMD declares heatwave conditions based on temperature levels and how much the temperature rises above normal conditions.

The IMD uses different alert categories such as heatwave, severe heatwave and extreme heat conditions to warn people and local authorities about rising temperatures.

India Hottest Cities 2026 and Global Rankings

On 22 May 2026, AQI.in ranked Balangir as the hottest city in the world. Sasaram, Varanasi and many other Indian cities also appeared in the global top 100 hottest cities list.

Earlier on the same morning, all top 50 hottest cities globally were located in India. Only three cities from Nepal Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj and Lumbini Sanskritik managed to enter the global top 100 list besides Indian cities.

The India Hottest Cities 2026 report highlights how extreme summer conditions are becoming more serious across South Asia.

Health Risks During Extreme Heat

Humidity levels in several cities remained between 6 and 8 per cent during the heatwave. Low humidity combined with very high temperatures increased the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Andhra Pradesh alone recorded around 325 suspected heatstroke cases between 1 March and 19 May 2026. Hospitals in different states also reported a rise in patients suffering from dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

Doctors advised people to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight during afternoon hours and wear light cotton clothing to reduce heat stress.

Rising Summer Temperatures in India

States like Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh frequently experience extreme summer temperatures between April and June. Experts believe changing climate patterns and prolonged dry weather are increasing the intensity of heatwaves every year.

The India Meteorological Department continues to monitor weather conditions and issue alerts to help people stay safe during extreme summer heat.