India is currently at the epicentre of a global heat surge, with 19 of the world’s 20 hottest locations recorded within the country, according to data released by AQI.in on April 21 at 12:21 pm IST.The India Meteorological Department has warned that heatwave conditions are likely to persist from April 22 to April 24, with maximum temperatures expected to climb further—touching up to 43°C in several regions.Below are the hottest city in the world today?The list has seven cities from Bihar, two from Odisha, eight from West Bengal and two from Uttar Pradesh.Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha and Asansol in West Bengal topped the list,  with 44 degrees Celsius.Cities at 43°C, included Begusarai, Motihari, Munger, Bhojpur, and Siwan, along with parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Lumbini in Nepal was the only non-Indian location in the top 20, reports India Today.What’s driving this extreme heat?Meteorologists say this widespread surge isn’t random—it’s the result of multiple overlapping factors:Intense solar heating during April, already a pre-monsoon heat periodClear skies, allowing uninterrupted solar radiationLow winter snow cover across Eurasia and the Himalayas, reducing heat reflectionShifting ocean patterns, including warming in the Pacific and ENSO-neutral conditionsDry northwesterly winds, limiting cloud formation and rainfallMeanwhile, parts of southern and northeastern India are experiencing moisture and thunderstorms, highlighting a sharp contrast in weather patterns across the country.A worrying trendExperts warn that this clustering of extreme temperatures signals rising climate variability. With a majority of the world’s hottest cities now in India, the intensity and frequency of heatwaves appear to be increasing.As April progresses, conditions are expected to remain harsh, with prolonged heat stress likely across large parts of the country before any meaningful pre-monsoon relief arrives.Uttar PradeshIn Uttar Pradesh, Banda recorded the highest temperature at a scorching 44.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, as most parts of the state reeled under intense heat with dry weather conditions prevailing, the meteorological department said.Several other places also reported high temperatures, with Sultanpur at 43.4 degrees Celsius, Prayagraj at 43.2 degrees Celsius, and Jhansi and Hardoi touching 42.5 degrees Celsius each. The state capital Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal.According to the forecast for Wednesday, dry weather, making conditions feel hotter and more dehydrating, is expected to continue across Uttar Pradesh, with clear skies over Lucknow and adjoining areas.While Delhi is yet to witness heatwave conditions this season, the city’s maximum temperature settled at 38.8 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal.Guidelines for Delhi schoolsIn view of these conditions, Delhi government schools, aided schools and private unaided recognised schools have been directed to introduce a “water bell” system and a buddy system for students as part of fresh precautionary measures.Under the water bell initiative, schools have been asked to ring a bell every 45 to 60 minutes to remind students to drink water and prevent dehydration, it stated.As per the circular, schools have also been directed to create a buddy system under which each student will be paired with another during school hours to monitor each other’s physical well-being. It further said outdoor assemblies should either be curtailed or shifted to shaded or indoor areas with minimum duration, while no open-air classes should be conducted.Haryana and PunjabHot weather conditions prevailed in Haryana and Punjab as well, with intense heat prevailing in Bhiwani and Bathinda.In Haryana, the maximum temperature in Bhiwani was 42.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Met department here.Hisar recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius, Karnal 39.5 degrees Celsius, Rohtak 40.3 degrees Celsius, Gurugram 41 degrees Celsius, Ambala 38.8 degrees Celsius and Sirsa 41 degrees Celsius.Neighbouring Punjab also witnessed above-normal temperatures.Bathinda and Faridkot recorded identical maximum temperatures of 41.6 degrees Celsius each.ChandigarhChandigarh, the common capital of the two states, also braved the heat as the maximum temperature settled at 38 degrees Celsius.RajasthanRajasthan reeled under intense heat conditions with above-normal maximum temperatures recorded at several places, officials said.The weather department has cautioned of heatwave conditions in parts of the state from Thursday onwards.The highest maximum temperature was recorded at 42 degrees Celsius in Kota. Maximum temperatures in cities including Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner were above normal, the department said.The weather office has issued an alert for heatwave conditions in several districts, including Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu, Bharatpur and Dholpur, from April 23.Himachal PradeshIn Himachal Pradesh, dry weather prevailed since Monday evening, while the Shimla weather office predicted a wet spell in the state from April 24 to 27.It has also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in four districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi on April 25.Jammu and KashmirMeanwhile, amid unseasonal snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir,  hundreds of Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes have begun their centuries-old biannual migration to the highland pastures of Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab Valley, braving harsh conditions. with PTI inputs