Delhi reels under heatwave, Najafgarh sizzles at 47.4°C

At the Safdarjung observatory, which is the city’s base weather station, the maximum temperature settled at 43.6 degrees Celsius, three degrees above the normal, and the highest for the season so far.

The IMD records heatwave conditions when the maximum temperature is 45 degrees or more. Heatwave conditions are also recorded when the maximum temperature is 40 degrees or more and 4.5 to 6.4 degrees above normal.

Heatwave conditions are set to persist in Delhi over the weekend, going by the IMD forecast. Heatwave conditions are expected in isolated parts of the city on Saturday and Sunday, and the maximum temperature at Safdarjung is expected to be 44 degrees on Saturday and 45 degrees on Sunday.

An ‘orange’ alert is in place for the city for the weekend. This is a warning to ‘be prepared’ – the IMD has warned of the increased likelihood of symptoms of heat-related illness in those who are exposed to the heat for a prolonged period. Warning of health concerns for vulnerable people including elderly persons, infants and those with chronic diseases, the IMD has also suggested avoiding “heat exposure.”

The forecast indicates that the next week is also set to be warm with the maximum temperature likely to remain at 44 or 45 degrees at Safdarjung till May 23. The minimum temperature, which was 25.4 degrees early on Friday, is likely to range from 26 to 28 degrees over the next six days.

Parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat also recorded heatwave conditions on Friday.