Heatwaves to Intensify, Temperatures to Reach 50°C... 20 Indian Cities Feature in the List of the World's Hottest Places.

India may witness a severe form of summer this year. In several regions, the heat has already arrived with greater intensity and severity than in previous years. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for several districts in Maharashtra this week, and Akola in the Vidarbha region—recording a temperature of nearly 44 degrees Celsius—has joined the ranks of the world’s hottest cities.

Meanwhile, Amravati, Wardha, and Nagpur have also secured spots in the top 10 list. In many parts of the country, temperatures have already crossed the 40–44 degrees Celsius mark. The IMD has warned that the heatwave is expected to intensify further in the coming days.

Temperatures Feared to Reach 50 Degrees Celsius

According to the IMD, the summer of 2026 is expected to be hotter than usual; heatwave conditions are likely to escalate between March and May, and temperatures could rise by 4 to 8 degrees Celsius above normal. As the heat reaches its peak, there is a possibility that the mercury could touch 50 degrees Celsius in certain regions.

20 Indian Cities Among the World’s Hottest Places

In terms of city temperatures across the globe, Jinghong in China’s Yunnan province emerged as the hottest city, recording a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. This was followed by Balangir in Odisha, India, where a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius was recorded.

Similarly, temperatures of 36°C were recorded in Son La (Vietnam); Chandrapur (Maharashtra, India); Raipur (Chhattisgarh, India); Gadchandur (Maharashtra, India); Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh, India); Sasaram (Bihar, India); Bhilai (Chhattisgarh, India); Kothapet (Telangana, India); Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh, India); Durg (Chhattisgarh, India); and Mughalsarai (Uttar Pradesh, India). Additionally, temperatures of 35°C were recorded in Aranyaprathet (Eastern Thailand), Lachhanpur (Chhattisgarh), Mirzapur (UP), Jagtial (Telangana), Wat Phra Phutthabat (Thailand), Varanasi (UP), Adilabad (Telangana), Masanganj (Chhattisgarh), Morshi (Maharashtra), Quy Nhon (Vietnam), Karimnagar (Telangana), and Bhainsa (Telangana).