UP Heatwave: A Death, Empty Roads, And Animals On ORS As 60 Districts Go On Red Alert

UP Heatwave: There’s a ban on outdoor labour between noon and 4 pm across Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, Mainpuri. In Mathura, Vrindavan, temples are offering traditional cooling drinks

In Lucknow Zoo, ice blocks, fans, and sprinklers have been arranged. (AI image)

Uttar Pradesh is in the grip of a ferocious heatwave, with 60 districts placed under a red alert on Saturday as temperatures breached 45 degrees Celsius in several regions and authorities scrambled to protect lives, livelihoods, and even zoo animals from an unrelenting sun.

A Death, And A Warning

The human cost is already being counted. In Kanpur, a 45-year-old man, Sunil Kumar, died while riding a motorcycle in the afternoon heat. His family has alleged he suffered a heatstroke after prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight.

Doctors have urged caution pending a post-mortem confirmation, but the incident has lent grim urgency to the IMD’s advisory — avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and do not ignore symptoms like dizziness, nausea, high fever, or sudden weakness.

The Numbers Tell Their Own Story

Prayagraj recorded 45.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, making it the hottest city in the country. Varanasi, Hamirpur, and Agra crossed 44 degrees.

The heat was not confined to UP alone — Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan hit 44.5 degrees and Amravati in Maharashtra 44.4 degrees — but it was across UP’s plains that the red alert was most widespread, with temperatures locked between 42 and 47 degrees and hot nights offering little respite even after sundown.

Outdoor Work Banned, Taj Mahal Goes Quiet

District administrations have begun enforcing emergency measures. In Agra division, Divisional Commissioner Nagendra Pratap ordered a ban on outdoor labour between noon and 4 pm across Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, and Mainpuri.

Employers have been told to provide drinking water, ORS solutions, and shaded rest areas, with strict action warned against violations.

The heat is also showing up in unexpected places. Tourist footfall at the Taj Mahal has dropped sharply in the afternoon hours, with visitors staying away from the scorching open grounds. “The afternoon hours are witnessing significantly lower visitor numbers due to extreme heat and hot winds,” a local tourism official said.

Tigers On ORS, Elephants In Sprinklers

Wildlife is struggling too. At Gorakhpur Zoo, animals have been showing signs of distress, prompting officials to increase water availability and install sprinklers and coolers in enclosures.

Elephants are using water to cool themselves, while other animals are staying close to water bodies. In Lucknow Zoo, ice blocks, fans, and sprinklers have been arranged.

In Kanpur, zoo authorities have gone a step further — tigers are being given ORS drinks to prevent dehydration.

Temples Try To Keep Devotees Cool

Religious sites across the state are also adapting. In Varanasi, temple authorities have introduced continuous water streams and shaded pathways for devotees, along with cooling systems to shield them from direct sunlight.

In Mathura and Vrindavan, temples are offering fruits and traditional cooling drinks as food offerings. In Ayodhya, coolers have been installed inside sanctums to regulate temperature for both idols and devotees.

Relief From Sunday, Fluctuations Till April 30

Some respite is in sight. A western disturbance is expected to become active from April 26, initially bringing light showers to western UP and the Terai region before thunderstorms spread across both western and eastern UP.

Lucknow-based meteorologist Atul Singh said this should pull temperatures down by two to three degrees Celsius, with weather fluctuations likely continuing until April 30. The next 48 hours, however, remain critical.

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