Record-Breaking Heatwave Grips South Asia as Temperatures Surge Past 45C Across India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Extreme heat tightens its grip across South Asia

A dangerous and record-breaking heatwave is sweeping across South Asia, pushing temperatures far above seasonal averages and straining cities, hospitals and emergency services across the region. In parts of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, temperatures have climbed toward or beyond 45 degrees Celsius, turning streets into shimmering corridors of heat and leaving millions exposed to punishing conditions.

The heatwave has already been linked to multiple deaths. In Pakistan, at least 10 people reportedly died from heat-related complications in Karachi, Pakistan, while several heat-related deaths have also been reported in India.

Meteorologists and climate experts say South Asia is no stranger to intense pre-monsoon heat. This time, though, the scale and persistence of the heat stand out. The temperatures are arriving earlier, lasting longer and spreading across a wider geographic area.

The air itself feels trapped. Heavy heat hangs over crowded cities and dry plains. Pavement radiates warmth long after sunset.

Why the heatwave is intensifying so early

According to climate researchers, a combination of atmospheric and climate-related factors is driving the extreme temperatures.
Anjal Prakash, research director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy in India, described the situation as an “unusually early and intense heatwave."
“High-pressure systems dominate, trapping hot air near the surface like a dome, preventing it from rising and cooling," Prakash explained.

He said the sinking air compresses and warms while also blocking cloud formation, allowing relentless solar heating across the region. Weak pre-monsoon rainfall and lingering El Nino-like conditions are adding to the problem by reducing opportunities for natural cooling.

The World Meteorological Organization warned that El Nino conditions could form again between May and July. WMO official Wilfran Moufouma-Okia said there is high confidence in the onset and strengthening of the climate pattern in the coming months.

Scientists say climate change is not necessarily increasing the number of El Nino events, but it is making their impacts more severe.

India braces for repeated waves of dangerous heat

India is among the countries hardest hit by the heatwave. The India Meteorological Department warned that temperatures this month are expected to remain above average across large parts of the country. Severe heatwave conditions are forecast for western regions and coastal areas.

Heatwaves are also expected to become more frequent along the eastern coast, near the Himalayan foothills and across the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
In Akola and Amravati, India, temperatures reached 46.9C and 46.8C on April 26. Reports from local media said more than 90 of the world’s hottest cities were in India on April 24.

The heat has already proven deadly. Two school teachers reportedly died from heatstroke during the last week of April, while four additional deaths linked to extreme heat were reported in West Bengal.

The forecasts point to more scorching days ahead.

“There will be an increased number of heatwave conditions along the east coast states and Gujarat by about four to five days into the month of May," IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.

Pakistan faces deadly temperatures and growing concern

Pakistan is also enduring intense heat, particularly in Sindh province and the southern city of Karachi, Pakistan.
Temperatures in Karachi climbed to 44C earlier this week, marking the city’s highest reading since 2018, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
Authorities warned residents to stay hydrated and avoid direct sunlight during daytime hours as the heatwave tightened its grip on central and upper Sindh. Cities including Jacobabad and Sukkur are expected to reach 46C later in the week.

The deadly heat has renewed concerns about preparedness and transparency.
Islamabad-based climate expert Fahad Saeed warned that governments must acknowledge the true scale of the disaster.
“It is imperative for the government to, first of all, give the correct numbers, collect the real data, and then let the world know that it is a calamity," Saeed said.

He added that without accurate reporting and recognition of losses, effective adaptation measures would remain difficult to develop.
“Putting the dust under the carpet is no solution," he said.

Bangladesh struggles through prolonged hot conditions

Bangladesh has also seen temperatures surge in recent weeks. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, and districts including Faridpur, Rajshahi and Pabna, temperatures reached between 37C and 38C during mid and late April.

Authorities say the country has already experienced a dramatic rise in heatwave days over recent years. In April 2024, Bangladesh recorded 24 heatwave days, the highest number in 75 years. Temperatures above 40C were observed in some districts.

The rising heat is putting increasing pressure on vulnerable communities, especially those without reliable access to cooling or electricity.

The unequal burden of extreme heat

Experts say the impacts of the heatwave are falling unevenly across society.
Kartikeya Bhatotia, a research fellow at Harvard University’s Mittal South Asia Institute, said the heat affects people through multiple pathways, ranging from heat stress and cardiovascular strain to kidney injuries and worsening chronic illnesses.
“The elderly, pregnant women, young children, and those with pre-existing conditions face the greatest risk," Bhatotia said.

Outdoor laborers are particularly exposed. Many spend long hours under direct sunlight while living in poorly ventilated homes with little protection from nighttime heat.
“Roughly 380 million Indians, about three-fourths of the workforce, are engaged in heat-exposed labour," Bhatotia noted.

Lost working hours are also affecting incomes, food access and healthcare for millions of families across the region.

Governments under pressure to respond

Authorities across South Asia are attempting to respond through warning systems, cooling centers, water distribution and public advisories.
India has developed Heat Action Plans in many cities, combining early warnings with mandatory rest breaks and emergency cooling measures. Still, experts warn that the most vulnerable populations often remain outside formal protection systems.

Bhatotia said long-term resilience will require structural changes in housing, labor protections, urban planning and healthcare systems.
“The goal is to decouple the trend in heat from the trend in suffering," he said.