Temperatures have crossed 50C in parts of northern and central India as the country grapples with extreme heatwave conditions. This week, more than 37 cities in the country recorded temperatures over 45C. On Tuesday, temperature in capital Delhi's Narela and Mungeshpur areas hit a record-breaking 49.9C .

India's weather department issued a red alert for several parts of the country's northwest on Wednesday, warning of a severe heat wave a day after parts of the capital Delhi recorded their highest temperature ever at almost 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).

Delhi, like several parts of central and northwest India, is in the grip of a heatwave, with the maximum temperature touching 49.9 degrees Celsius at two automatic weather stations in Mungeshpur and Narela.

Delhi recorded its hottest day this season with the maximum temperature reaching 50 degrees Celsius in some parts on Tuesday (May 28), which was nine notches above normal. The national capital and other parts of northern as well as central India were in the grip of extreme heatwave conditions with the mercury crossing the 50-degree mark in Rajasthan’s Churu and Haryana’s Sirsa.

North Indian states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi are facing an intense heatwave with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some regions. Delhi recorded its highest temperature at 49.

The maximum temperature in New Delhi nearly reached 50 degrees Celsius, marking a significant departure of 9 degrees from the normal range.