India, June 16 -- After the mercury touched 48.2degC in Sri Ganganagar on May 27, 2026, making it the hottest spot on the planet, North India got a brief respite brought by rain and gusty winds. But now the region continues to grapple with intense June heat. The temperatures are above the 40-degree mark, making afternoons uncomfortable and forcing many people to limit outdoor activities.

This is even when the weather conditions across the country are presenting a mixed picture with the advancement of the southwest monsoon into parts of the Bay of Bengal and the northeast.

India's heatwave season of 2026 arrived with unusual ferocity. At its peak, all 50 of the world's hottest cities were located within India, with Uttar Pradesh alone ac...