A severe heatwave has gripped large parts of India, with temperatures soaring across North, Central and Eastern states. The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts for regions including Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Telangana and Odisha. Vidarbha’s Brahmapuri recorded a blistering 47.2 degrees Celsius, while thermal camera visuals from Delhi showed surface temperatures crossing 65 degrees under direct sunlight. Hospitals are witnessing a rise in dehydration, exhaustion and heatstroke cases, especially among children, senior citizens and outdoor workers.