In late April, a global temperature tracker revealed something remarkable: 95 of the world's 100 hottest cities were in India. These were not major cities but small towns across the country's interior plains, including Banda, Bindki, Auraiya, and Adilabad. In Banda, located in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, temperatures reached 47.4°C, the highest recorded during the heatwave. Akola in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region recorded 46.9°C, and at least six Indian cities crossed 46°C. Even Delhi, accustomed to extreme heat, struggled. The Safdarjung observatory logged 42.8°C, its hottest day of 2026 and 5.1°C above normal. The India Meteorological Department raised alerts as conditions affected 11 states. Meteorologists blamed persistent dry winds, no cloud cover, absent rainfall, and delayed pre-monsoon thunderstorms. The government responded immediately. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava directed states to set up Heat Stroke Management Units at hospitals. The National Human Rights Commission issued an advisory, noting that 3,712 people died from heat between 2019 and 2023. The elderly, children, outdoor workers, and homeless people faced the highest risks. Meanwhile, India's northeast experienced heavy rainfall, offering some hope for relief ahead.