City stays in heatwave grip at 41.5°, clouds stage a quiet rebellion

Varanasi: The city remained under intense heatwave conditions on Monday, though partial cloud cover brought some respite. Temperatures stayed high, with AP recording 41.5°C and BHU 41.1°C.

After days of 43–45°C that made the city one of the hottest spots in UP, the clouds helped moderate the scorching sun.

The city remained mostly sunny to partly cloudy, with increasing cloud cover at times that moderated the direct scorching sunlight.

Varanasi has been under a heatwave alert, with temperatures significantly above normal, often 4–5°C higher than average for late April. Streets, markets, and even the iconic Ganga ghats have been unusually deserted during peak afternoon hours as people stayed indoors to avoid the blistering heat. Night temperatures offered little break, staying elevated around 24–27°C.

On Monday, clouds reduced the direct sun’s intensity, though highs still hovered near 42–44°C depending on cloud cover and light drizzle. The IMD has indicated a gradual weather shift due to western disturbances, with more clouds likely from April 28. Light rain or a dip in temperatures could bring sustained relief in the coming days.