Parts of northwest India endured extreme heat on Saturday, with temperatures soaring to 46.9 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that these severe heat conditions will persist for the next five days, impacting Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh the most.

The IMD's latest forecast states, "Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely to continue over plains of Northwest India during next five days and Heat wave conditions likely over East and Central India during next three days."

A red alert has been issued for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and West Rajasthan, while an orange alert is in place for East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi are expected to experience severe heat wave conditions until May 22. West Uttar Pradesh will see similar conditions on May 19. Parts of East Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha are also likely to face heat wave conditions until May 22, while Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, and Jharkhand will be affected until May 20. Konkan and Goa, as well as Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, will experience hot and humid weather until May 19-20.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and take extra care of vulnerable groups, including infants, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Rajasthan's Barmer recorded the highest temperature on Saturday at 46.9 degrees Celsius, with other areas like Phalodi, Pilani, Jalore, Jaisalmer, Karauli, Ganganagar, and Sikar also seeing temperatures above 46 degrees. On Friday, temperatures reached 47.4 degrees Celsius in Najafgarh and 47.1 degrees in Haryana's Sirsa.

Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast heavy rains for many parts of South India.

Isolated heavy rainfall is expected over Coastal Karnataka from May 19-22, South Interior Karnataka from May 21-22, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on May 18, and Lakshadweep until May 21. Additionally, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe until May 22, with South Interior Karnataka experiencing it until May 20. Tamil Nadu and Kerala are set to receive extremely heavy rainfall from May 19-21.

A red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kottayam districts of Kerala on Sunday, while an orange alert is in place for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts.