A record number of flights are departing major Indian airports as residents flee the scorching heatwave gripping the north and central regions of the country, according to data from Trevolution Group, a leading travel conglomerate. Outbound airfare sales for May surged by over 64% compared to the same period last year, Trevolution reported. This surge comes as the number of flights booked to arrive in India plummeted by 37% compared to April, when temperatures were more moderate. The stark contrast in travel trends highlights the significant impact the heatwave is having on travel plans. Since mid-May, Delhi, the capital of India, has sweltered under an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching a staggering 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). The extreme weather prompted authorities to issue a “red alert” and close schools across Delhi, northwest India, northern Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. As of today, a week later, the heatwave continues to grip northwest India, extending to regions like the Western Himalayas, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh, posing a significant risk to public health and safety. The Indian Meteorological Department warns that dangerous conditions are likely to persist until the end of the month.

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