Storms and Heatwave Ravage North India: 104 Dead in UP, Rajasthan on Red Alert
Prayagraj | May 14, 2026 | DeccanLive.com
India is currently witnessing two extreme weather conditions at the same time, with severe storms hitting some states while intense heatwaves continue in others.
In Uttar Pradesh, strong storms and heavy winds caused major destruction on Wednesday, leading to the deaths of 104 people across nearly 30 districts, including Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The highest number of deaths was reported from Prayagraj with 21 fatalities, followed by 17 deaths in Bhadohi.
Winds reached speeds of nearly 80 kmph in several areas. In Bareilly, a young man was reportedly blown away along with a tin shed due to the powerful storm. Meanwhile, the temperature in Banda touched 45.4°C. The weather department has issued alerts for thunderstorms and rain in 51 districts of the state today.
At the same time, Rajasthan continues to face severe heatwave conditions. Jaisalmer remained the hottest city in the country for the fourth straight day with a temperature of 46.1°C. The weather department has issued a red alert for extreme heat in Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer, while 13 districts remain under heatwave warning.
In Madhya Pradesh, more than 25 districts are experiencing heatwave conditions that may continue until May 18. Khajuraho recorded 45.4°C on Wednesday. Orange alerts have been issued for cities like Indore, Ujjain, Dhar, and Ratlam, along with warnings for unusually warm nights.
Meanwhile, temperatures in Haryana increased by 1.1°C over the last 24 hours. Five cities crossed the 40°C mark, with Narnaul recording 42.5°C. A yellow alert for heatwave conditions has been issued from May 17.
In Bihar, districts including Purnia and Katihar are under orange alert for heavy rainfall and storms today. Rain alerts have also been issued for hilly districts of Uttarakhand.
According to forecasts for the next two days, heatwave conditions may continue in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Thunderstorms with strong winds are expected in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Kerala, Karnataka, and several northeastern states.
On May 16, rain and strong winds are expected in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh. Hailstorms and rain are also likely in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Authorities have advised people to stay indoors during extreme heat and avoid unnecessary travel during storms.
