Heat‑wave warning issued for 15 districts
The Maharashtra Meteorological Department announced a heat‑wave alert for 15 districts on 15 April 2026, noting that afternoon temperatures are projected to cross the 40 °C mark.
Districts most at risk
- Latour, Amravati, Yavatmal, Washim, Akola – temperatures expected to reach 42‑43 °C.
- Bulandshahr, Nagpur, Wardha, Chandrapur, Gondia – forecast above 41 °C.
- Bhandara, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Dhule, Nanded – also likely to see highs exceeding 40 °C.
Peak temperature records
Akola recorded a maximum of 43.1 °C, the highest temperature recorded in the country this season. Other districts in Vidarbha reported 42 °C in Amravati and Wardha, while Chandrapur, Nagpur, Washim and Gadchiroli logged temperatures above 41 °C.
Yellow alerts across the state
The coastal Konkan region received a yellow alert for extreme heat and humidity. Raigad also placed under a yellow alert as residents cope with intense sweating.
Health advisories
Officials advised people to avoid outdoor activities between 12 pm and 4 pm, to drink water continuously and to protect themselves from direct sunlight. The state government has introduced three standard operating procedures (SOPs) aimed at preventing heat‑related illnesses, especially for outdoor labourers and miners.
Cause of the heat wave
Meteorologists attribute the surge to a low‑pressure trough stretching from Bihar to Tamil Nadu, which is altering regional weather patterns and intensifying heat across Maharashtra.