The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase
The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water
Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin
Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow
If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP
Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse
Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation
India records first heatwave of 2026 as spring fades
India records first heatwave of 2026 as spring fades
India records first heatwave of 2026 as spring fades
Maximum temperatures were in the range of 38–42°C at many places over Gujarat, West Rajasthan and Vidarbha, at a few places over Madhya Pradesh and Marathwada.
Updated on: Mar 12, 2026 7:57 AM IST By Jayashree Nandi Share via Copy link India recorded its first widespread heatwave episode of the year on Wednesday, with severe conditions sweeping across Gujarat’s Saurashtra and Kutch region, as experts warned that the shrinking window between winter and summer is becoming a pattern driven by climate change. Based on the heatwave warning issued by the Meteorological Department, the temperature in Thane city again on Wednesday was seen rising. (Praful Gangurde / HT Photo) Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions prevailed at many places over Saurashtra and Kutch and at a few places over the Gujarat region, while isolated heat wave conditions were reported over Vidarbha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Although isolated heatwave conditions were reported from Vidarbha earlier this month, Wednesday marked the first episode of widespread heat over the western parts of the country. An anti-cyclone over Rajasthan is driving dry and hot winds towards Gujarat, causing subsidence of air over the region, said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorology, at Skymet Weather. He added the pattern has become recurrent. “We have been seeing this happen in the later part of March over some parts of western India.” More striking, Palawat said, is the disappearing spring. “It is almost over. The transition from winter to summer is very quick,” he said, pointing to a trend visible in recent years. Maximum temperatures were in the range of 38–42°C at many places over Gujarat, West Rajasthan and Vidarbha, at a few places over Madhya Pradesh and Marathwada, and at isolated places over Chhattisgarh and Odisha. In Delhi, maximum temperatures ranged between 35–38°C. Day temperatures were markedly above normal — exceeding the average by more than 5.1°C — at most places over Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Rajasthan and East Rajasthan, and at many places over Punjab, Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch. Temperatures were appreciably above normal — by 3.1°C to 5.0°C — at many places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, and at a few places over Madhya Maharashtra and Coastal Karnataka. “Such heat wave episodes in March are normal and we had forecast it well in advance,” said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD. Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to continue over Gujarat till March 13, while isolated heavy rainfall is expected over Arunachal Pradesh during March 12–14 and over Assam and Meghalaya during March 13–15, the weather department said. IMD defines a heatwave when the maximum temperature reaches 45°C in the plains or when daytime temperature exceeds the normal by 4.5°C. The early onset of heat carries significant implications for India’s power infrastructure. This summer, heat may be as intense as or worse than 2024, which was the warmest year on record for India and globally, and power demand is expected to surpass last year’s levels, experts said. The predictions holds significance at a time India’s energy imports -- the country depends on overseas suppliers for 85% of its oil and gas requirements -- have been hit by the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel. A petroleum and gas ministry official on Wednesday said 25% of the current gas requirement has been hit. Grid India’s Short Term Resource Adequacy Assessment for 2026-27 projects peak demand of over 260 GW between April and June. “We hit 250 gigawatts in May 2024. This year, it’s expected to range in between 267 to 280 gigawatts in the months of April to June. So yes, we expect to cross that record,” said Disha Agrawal, senior programme lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), speaking at a workshop on the challenges of extreme heat and the growing demand for power and water. She was referring to Grid India’s projections. The Grid India report identifies summer and early monsoon months — April to July 2026 — as the most critical period for system adequacy, driven by high demand, reduced surplus margins and elevated forced outages. During this window, minimum surplus remains close to zero, particularly during non-solar hours, indicating very limited operational buffer once solar generation is unavailable, the report states. This is where gas-sourced electricity, though a small portion overall, is crucial. Gas-based generation contributes primarily as a peaking and balancing resource, with dispatch concentrated during non-solar hours. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jayashree Nandi I write on the environment and climate crisis and I believe these are the most important stories of our times. Climate Change Heatwave Temperature Imd Gujarat Check India news real-time updates, latest news from India, latest at HindustanTime News / India News / India Records First Heatwave Of 2026 As Spring Fades See LessIndia recorded its first widespread heatwave episode of the year on Wednesday, with severe conditions sweeping across Gujarat’s Saurashtra and Kutch region, as experts warned that the shrinking window between winter and summer is becoming a pattern driven by climate change.
Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions prevailed at many places over Saurashtra and Kutch and at a few places over the Gujarat region, while isolated heat wave conditions were reported over Vidarbha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Although isolated heatwave conditions were reported from Vidarbha earlier this month, Wednesday marked the first episode of widespread heat over the western parts of the country.
An anti-cyclone over Rajasthan is driving dry and hot winds towards Gujarat, causing subsidence of air over the region, said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorology, at Skymet Weather. He added the pattern has become recurrent. “We have been seeing this happen in the later part of March over some parts of western India.”
More striking, Palawat said, is the disappearing spring. “It is almost over. The transition from winter to summer is very quick,” he said, pointing to a trend visible in recent years.
Maximum temperatures were in the range of 38–42°C at many places over Gujarat, West Rajasthan and Vidarbha, at a few places over Madhya Pradesh and Marathwada, and at isolated places over Chhattisgarh and Odisha. In Delhi, maximum temperatures ranged between 35–38°C. Day temperatures were markedly above normal — exceeding the average by more than 5.1°C — at most places over Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Rajasthan and East Rajasthan, and at many places over Punjab, Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch. Temperatures were appreciably above normal — by 3.1°C to 5.0°C — at many places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, and at a few places over Madhya Maharashtra and Coastal Karnataka.
“Such heat wave episodes in March are normal and we had forecast it well in advance,” said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD. Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to continue over Gujarat till March 13, while isolated heavy rainfall is expected over Arunachal Pradesh during March 12–14 and over Assam and Meghalaya during March 13–15, the weather department said.
IMD defines a heatwave when the maximum temperature reaches 45°C in the plains or when daytime temperature exceeds the normal by 4.5°C.
The early onset of heat carries significant implications for India’s power infrastructure. This summer, heat may be as intense as or worse than 2024, which was the warmest year on record for India and globally, and power demand is expected to surpass last year’s levels, experts said.
The predictions holds significance at a time India’s energy imports -- the country depends on overseas suppliers for 85% of its oil and gas requirements -- have been hit by the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel. A petroleum and gas ministry official on Wednesday said 25% of the current gas requirement has been hit.
Grid India’s Short Term Resource Adequacy Assessment for 2026-27 projects peak demand of over 260 GW between April and June. “We hit 250 gigawatts in May 2024. This year, it’s expected to range in between 267 to 280 gigawatts in the months of April to June. So yes, we expect to cross that record,” said Disha Agrawal, senior programme lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), speaking at a workshop on the challenges of extreme heat and the growing demand for power and water. She was referring to Grid India’s projections.
The Grid India report identifies summer and early monsoon months — April to July 2026 — as the most critical period for system adequacy, driven by high demand, reduced surplus margins and elevated forced outages. During this window, minimum surplus remains close to zero, particularly during non-solar hours, indicating very limited operational buffer once solar generation is unavailable, the report states. This is where gas-sourced electricity, though a small portion overall, is crucial. Gas-based generation contributes primarily as a peaking and balancing resource, with dispatch concentrated during non-solar hours.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Foxconn’s Apple era fades as AI servers drive growth in Taiwan tech sector Force intact, fear fades South Asia’s ‘Arab Spring’ comparison is misleading but there is a lesson for India here iPhone 18 Likely To Arrive In Spring 2026 Heatwave returns Heatwave alert for Vidarbha Heatwave warnings across Australia as millions celebrate national day Punjab temperatures reach 50 deg C mark as Pakistan battles severe heatwave Can heatwave lead to depression US heatwave nightmare
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh
5 hours ago
A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval
5 hours ago
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to
5 hours ago
Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16
5 hours ago
‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last
5 hours ago
Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone
5 hours ago
Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 hours ago
![London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/chelsea-fined-and-faces-supended-transfer-ban-by-premier-league.webp?height=520)
London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of
5 hours ago
A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House
5 hours ago
LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
5 hours ago
Viswanathan Anand has defended Cyprus as the host of the upcoming FIDE Candidates Tournament, saying the island nation offers a high-quality setting for one of chess’ most important events despite concerns over regional tensions. Cyprus has been in focus due to its proximity to the evolving Gulf
5 hours ago
A parliamentary panel has flagged the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for surrendering nearly a quarter of funds sanctioned for Scheduled Caste welfare schemes. The committee found the ministry's inability to utilize allocated funds and its consistent budget scaling down at revised
5 hours ago
Fino Payments Bank clarifies the ongoing probe relates only to certain programme managers and merchants associated with multiple banks. Also Read :10 people dead after fire breaks out at Odisha’s Cuttack SCB Medical College; CM announces Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia assistanceFino Payments Bank clarifies
5 hours ago
When the daytime air feels like an oven and night brings no relief, people in Karachi, Pakistan, say the heat “goes straight to the head”. They mean more than dizziness or sweat. It’s the creeping panic of a body that cannot cool down: restless nights, frayed tempers, a household on edge
5 hours ago
Dozens of people are feared dead or injured at a drug treatment centre in Kabul, Afghanistan after an air strike that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan. The hospital was hit on Monday evening, killing some people and injuring others, the government's spokesman said on X
5 hours ago
The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;
5 hours ago
Shocked Karan Johar reveals his 9-year-old son Yash's ‘business proposal’ as he wants to pay rent to him. WatchKaran Johar and his son Yash had a fun conversation as they discussed a business proposal. Watch their banter here. Mar 17, 2026, 06:00:58 IST By Ananya Das Share via Copy link
5 hours ago
Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17
5 hours ago
More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance
5 hours ago
Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting
5 hours ago
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026
5 hours ago
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper
5 hours ago
